By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Brownsville area schools are used to having their district swimming & diving meets in Brownsville.
But things are changing as more school districts in the Rio Grande Valley build indoor aquatic facilities.
For the first time, this week’s District 32-6A meet will be competed at the recently opened Harlingen CISD Aquatic Center.
The $7.88 million state-of-the-art facility next to Boggus Stadium was scheduled to be the site of last year’s 32-6A meet but it wasn’t quite ready to open. As a result, the 32-6A meet returned to Brownsville’s Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center.
The Harlingen facility is now ready to go and already has been the host of several events, including a pre-district meet Jan. 8 and 9.
“I like it,” Los Fresnos coach Albino Cisneros said of the new Harlingen swim center.
Cisneros said his boys and girls have competed there twice so far this swimming season.
“It’s set up really well,” he said. “Whoever designed it knew what they were doing. Our swimmers are familiar with competing there. I wish we had one like it.”
Actually, the construction of an indoor swimming and diving facility has been approved by Los Fresnos CISD. Still, Los Fresnos, as it has done in the past, braved cold weather conditions this week and trained at its outdoor pool for district.
The 32-6A meet begins at noon Friday with diving. Swimming competition begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The top six finishers in each event advance to the Region VIII-6A Meet on Feb. 5 and 6 at Clark Aquatic Center.
Los Fresnos has been the dominant team in the district, winning the past six titles for the boys and past three for the girls.
“We’re definitely ready to go,” Cisneros said.
Leading the way for the Los Fresnos girls is Ivana Besteiro, who went to state in two events last season. Other Los Fresnos swimmers expected to do well at district include Andrea Moreno, Sarah Villarreal, Kendall House, Carlos Paredes, Daniel Escamilla, Luis Osuna and Ari Morales.
Rivera, Hanna and Brownsville Veterans Memorial aim to challenge Los Fresnos for a district championship, either in the girls, the boys or both.
“We’ve been working really hard, and we should have some very good individual swims,” Rivera coach Ryan Shea said. “This will be our second time to swim (in Harlingen). It’s nice to have a (district) meet there. It’s something new for our swimmers. We’ll be back on our home turf for the regional meet (next week at Clark Aquatic Center).”
Those who figure to do well for Rivera include Adrian Flores, Pablo De Los Santos, Stephanie Castillo, Ximena Gonzalez, Sofia Gonzalez and Fernanda Rodriguez.
Hanna is expected to have a strong showing at district as well, particularly with its girls. Among the ones to watch for the Lady Golden Eagles are Maya Athena Imperial, Natalia Davila, Tahliya Martinez and Gloria Orta. Imperial went to state in two events one year ago. Leading the way for the Hanna boys is Hugo Arredondo.
“It’s that time,” Hanna coach Sam Perez said. “This is the big moment, and it helps put the whole season in perspective for us.
“We just had a dual meet against (Brownsville) Veterans, and everyone is feeling good because we swam really well (and it gives us momentum going into district),” he added. “Now our swimmers are excited and rejuvenated to do their best.”
Brownsville Veterans also has a swimmer with an opportunity to return to state in Jonathan Ashford. He went to Austin in two events last year, like Besteiro and Imperial.
Other athletes for Brownsville Veterans who are expected to have strong showings at district include Daniel Flores, Juan Andres Sanchez, Phillip Taboada and Tonnih Ruiz.
“I feel pretty comfortable (about our chances),” Brownsville Veterans coach Frank Sanchez said. “Hopefully we’ll hit a good taper right at district time and hopefully see our best swims. That’s what I’m looking for.
“Yes, being in a different pool (at Harlingen) could make a difference, but I think what’s more important is the mindset level of our swimmers going into the meet,” Sanchez added. “To me, a pool is a pool, and maybe for the swimmers it might be a little different, but I think they’ll be all right.”
Lopez should be strong in girls diving with Thadey Diaz, who recently topped a 300 score at a meet in McAllen.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.