WESLACO — Another year, another District 32-6A swimming and diving title for the boys and girls from Los Fresnos.
The Falcons swim and diving teams took home first place Saturday at the WISD Aquatic Center. Los Fresnos has dominated the district for over a decade and continued with that tradition in Weslaco.
The Los Fresnos boys tallied 236 points, defeating Harlingen High (106 points) and Brownsville Hanna (75 points) to win the meet.
Los Fresnos’ Daniel Canales, Joannes Luna and Noah Gutierrez each scored 16 points with individual wins. Canales won the 100 breaststroke, Luna the 200 freestyle and Guitierrez won gold in the 100 backstroke.
Harlingen High’s Kristopher Cantu won both the 50 and 100 freestyle.
“I have been really motivated to put on a show for Harlingen High, my team and my family,” Cantu said.
The senior received load roars from family, friends and fans of Harlingen High swimming during the meet. In the 100 freestyle, Cantu beat Gutierrez by 0.01 seconds. Cantu had a time of 51.51 and Gutierrez, a time of 51.52.
“Towards the end of the year, I have been peaking,” Cantu said. “I am going to finish the season strong.”
Brownsville Hanna’s Jeremiah Lovett, the only other swimmer not from Harlingen High or Los Fresnos to win a race, took first in the boys 500 freestyle.
The girls had more of a challenge because of a smaller team this year, senior Ariana Mancillas said. Los Fresnos’ 191 points beat out Harlingen High’s 131 and Weslaco High’s 81 points.
“Everyone was able to step it up,” Mancillas said. “I was able to fulfill my role, and get some points for our team.”
Los Fresnos’ Jada Ashford set a pool record in the 100 butterfly. Ashford bested the record with a time of 59.50. Ashford also won the 50 freestyle. Mancillas took first in the 200 IM and the 100 freestyle.
“I feel pretty good this year,” Ashford said. “I have a lot of practice time and it is my last year, so I am trying to go out with a bang.”
Weslaco High’s Emily Guerra won the 100 breastroke by five seconds. Harlingen High’s Davina Gutierrez is the 100 backstroke champion, teammates Elise Hernandez took the 500 freestyle with a minute to spare and Giovanna Pierami won the 200 freestyle by 12 seconds.
The District 32-6A swimmers go to regionals on the weekend. The Class 6A Region VIII meet is going to be held Friday and Saturday at the Laredo United ISD Aquatic Center.