By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer
The first day of the Region VIII-6A swim meet is a proving ground for some, and an opportunity to fine-tune for others.
But no matter what, coaches across the Rio Grande Valley expect their swimmers to give themselves a chance to do their best today, the final day of the regional championship.
Brownsville Hanna’s Nadia Gutierrez was among the top performers on the first day of the event held Friday at the Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center in Brownsville.
Gutierrez (5:51.67) dropped a second and a half and earned the third seed in the 500 freestyle. Harlingen High’s Mckenna Stock (6:14.25) made one of the biggest leaps of the day by clinching the fifth seed and dropping 6.77 seconds from her initial seed time.
On the boys side, the one-two punch of junior Quinten Deysel (22.33) and senior Matthew Lovett finished first and second in the 50 freestyle (22.94).
“I’ve been working with these guys for a long time,” Hanna coach Sam Perez said. “I’m just really excited that they’re bringing their A-game today. Nadia and Matthew, they’re both seniors, and they’re setting a real good example for the kids like Quinten, who recently broke a couple of records.”
Gutierrez, Deysel and Lovett are all well-positioned to compete for a state qualifying spot. But the three veterans have been instructed to remain even-keeled throughout one of the year’s longest and competitive events.
“We’re not underestimating any team or anyone in the water (today),” Perez said. “Our goal is to swim our best and get our times today. … I think the biggest takeaway is to learn to be competitive for two days in a row, which is really hard to do. Most meets are just a day long. We had a practice meet to prepare for regionals, and they are seasoned swimmers, all of them. The pressure was really on (Friday) and it will be (again today).”
“It really tests their fitness,” Perez said. “It’s also a test of endurance, and it helps them become a more mature athlete.”
Los Fresnos coach Jaime Perez showcased the talents of his two freshmen, Jada Ashford and Ariana Mancillas.
Mancillas was the starter and Ashford was the anchor of the 200 freestyle relay team (1:44.38) that held on to its top seed by dropping more than eight tenths of a second.
The Falcons’ coach said the two girls began swimming in a local club program as second-graders, and the pipeline of talent to the high school level is continuing to grow.
“We have a swim club, and the kids start when they’re young,” Jaime Perez said. “That’s where it starts. I’m hoping to continue to get young swimmers with experience for the years to come.”
Harlingen South junior Camille Conlu Lizada (1:04.25) retained the top speed in the 100 butterfly.
“I told (Lizada to not) let it get in her head, and to focus on (today),” Hawks coach Hector Castaneda said. “She went hard (Friday), and she’s got to go harder (today).”
Castaneda anticipated the majority of his swimmers will compete in today’s regional final or consolation final.
One of his top boys contenders is Pasquale Davila, who will swim in the 100 backstroke. He also finished third in the prelims in the 200 freestyle (1:54.39).
“It’s one of those things where you swim your best (on the first day) and go even harder (on the second day,” Castaneda said. “You can only worry about yourself.”
“My seniors and my upperclassmen know this because I preach it to them, you have to focus on yourself and focus on being the best version of yourself.”
In the 1-meter dive, Harlingen High’s Amber Warner retained her regional title with a score of 351.70 and clinched another trip to Austin. Los Fresnos’ Anapaula Hernandez (243.40) was third, and Harlingen South’s Mae Kennedy was fourth.
Harlingen South’s Jason Luckey (279.35) placed second, Hanna’s Angel Alvarez (256.80) was fourth, and Harlingen High’s Ethan Sanchez (254.70) finished fifth in the boys division.
The top three divers in each division qualify for the state meet.