BY JON R. LAFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
WESLACO — Oscar Garza didn’t see it, he only heard about it through an observant parent after the fact. The Edinburg High Bobcats swimming coach was too busy focusing on his boys team in the 200-yard freestyle relay Saturday at the Weslaco ISD Aquatic Center.
But while Garza cheered his Bobcats to a first place finish with a time of 1 minute 42.36 seconds, an equally significant event occurred in the neighboring lane. The Weslaco High Panthers, Edinburg’s biggest competition throughout the afternoon, were disqualified. Judges waved the Panthers’ relay attempt after Isaiah Crouse entered the pool before teammate Francisco Cerda touched the wall.
The error negated what would have been a second-place Weslaco finish, and cleared the way for the Bobcats boys to take first place during the District 31-6A Swimming and Diving Championships. Edinburg edged the Panthers 106 points to 95 in the final boys standings.
Though Weslaco faulted, that’s not to say the Edinburg High boys didn’t earn their trophy. The team was consistent for the entirety of the meet. Aside from the 500-yard relay, the Bobcats finished in the top four in every event they competed in.
Junior David Garza, who was named Male Athlete of the Meet, won the gold medal in both the 200 freestyle (2:01.94) and the 100 freestyle (54.38).
“This has been the most stressful week of my life, not going to lie” David said. “I was nervous. Even if I’ve swam since sixth grade, I’m nervous every competition. But I have to let it all out and relax.”
David’s teammate, freshman Allison Tacderas, was awarded Female Athlete of the Meet after winning the 50 freestyle (27.11) and the 100 freestyle (1:01.65).
For coach Garza, Saturday was the culmination of a meticulous gameplan. He says it took him four hours to strategize for the meet, selecting which swimmers would participate in which event.
Though the Weslaco boys fell short, the Lady Panthers won top prize in the girls competition with 108 points. The highlight for the team came during the 200 freestyle relay with a first-place time of 1:52.24 – setting a new school record.
“All year, they’ve been very determined to get (the record),” Weslaco swimming coach Justin Esparza said. “I told them that in order to get it, they need to do certain things. Every single meet I was on top of them and making sure they were on top of themselves.”
The Lady Panthers’ first place showing as a team came in spite of winning just one individual event – Morgan Parker in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:16.80. Rather than striking gold, Weslaco’s girls collected a plethora of silver and bronze.
“Every top three, there was typically more than one Weslaco,” Esparza said. “I knew they were doing they’re job. This is what they’ve been working so hard for. That was awesome. That brought a lot of joy.”
PSJA North swimming, in just its second year of existence, placed second thanks in part to a strong showing from junior Yeye Rodriguez, who won gold in the 200 IM (2:47.44) and the 100 butterfly (1:15.51).
Varsity swimmers and relay teams who placed in the top six in their respective events will participate at regional competition next week at the Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center in Brownsville.