By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
By his own admission, had Jonathan Ashford not won his two individual swimming events at this weekend’s Brownsville ISD Pre-Regional Showcase, it would have felt like a big disappointment.
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial standout has high expectations for his senior season after qualifying for the UIL state meet as a junior in the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke.
Ashford came through with victories in the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke Saturday to highlight the Chargers’ participation in the Pre-Regional event at Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center. The two-day meet attracted 29 teams and approximately 600 competitors.
“I was satisfied with the two (victories) I got,” said Ashford, who went to state as a freshman and then again as a junior. “Now I see where everybody else is at (as far as competition), so I’m hoping for the best.
“I feel I could have done better,” Ashford added. “At the beginning of the meet (Saturday) my body was at a high (level) and I got some good times in our (200 medley) relay (that finished third), but my times weren’t where I really wanted them to be (in my individual events). This was a pre-regional meet, so by regional time (in early February), we’ll see how much I improve.”
Besides McAllen Rowe’s Abraham Rodriguez, who captured both diving events, Ashford was the only double-winner among the boys.
Brownsville Veterans coach Frank Sanchez said that, yes, Ashford probably could have done better, but added he still was encouraged by his standout senior’s showings.
“I think Jonathan had some very good swims, especially with his freestyle, and he looked real strong in the water,” Sanchez said. “His breaststroke wasn’t too bad. That’s an up-and-down kind of stroke where you can look real good at one meet and a little slower at other meets.
“I think the thing with Jonathan is that when he has someone next to him (who provides strong competition), that’s really going to push him. When he looks to both sides and no one is there (with him), it just doesn’t seem to give him that extra edge to really want to push it a little more. When there’s competition right there next to him, he kicks it into another gear.”
Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway captured the boys team title with 288 points. McAllen High, missing a couple of its key swimmers, finished second with 207 points and Sharyland High was third at 167.
“Yes, we were missing some of our guys for this meet, but I think we’ll be fine,” McHi coach Jared Kaminski said.
The McAllen Memorial girls were team champions with 290 points. Laredo Alexander was second with 196 points and Los Fresnos finished third with 186.
“We did very well today, but we’ve got to keep working,” Mustangs coach Timothy Nelson said. “We have to keep fighting, working hard and everything. This (showing) gives me an idea of where to put our people (for the upcoming district and regional meets).
“(I would just say) have fun, and go Mustangs,” he added.
The McAllen Memorial girls boasted a double-winner in Stacia Benitez, who took first in the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke. The only other double-winner for the girls was Roma’s Jocelyn M. Martinez, who captured the 100 and 200 freestyles.
The Los Fresnos girls won the 200 freestyle relay and received second-place finishes from Andrea Moreno (100 butterfly) and Ivana Besteiro (200 individual medley).
“My girls did all right, but I wasn’t too happy with my (10th place) boys,” Los Fresnos coach Albino Cisneros said. “I wish I had a few more girls. We had eight (girls) qualify for the finals, and four of them were for individual events and the others qualified on a relay.
“We just have a lot of work to do,” he added. “I’m planning for the future.”
The Hanna girls enjoyed some strong showings as well. Maya Athena Imperial won the 500 freestyle, and teammate Natalia Davila was second in the 100 freestyle and third in the 50 freestyle. The Lady Eagles also took second in the 200 freestyle relay and third in the 400 freestyle relay.
Lopez’s Thadey Diaz earned second-place finishes in both girls diving events.
St. Joseph Academy turned in another strong showing at a big meet with Adrian Fierro taking second in the boys 100 freestyle and Jessie Hainley placing third in the girls 100 freestyle.
Rivera’s Adrian Flores finished third in the boys 200 individual medley.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.