By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Roman Ortega has been the swimming coach at Porter for quite some time.
Without getting too specific, Ortega says he’s not exactly sure just how long he’s been at the position, maybe 34 or 35 years.
During that time he’s tutored countless swimmers in the Porter program with various levels of skill. Some have been those just learning to swim, while others have displayed a high level of proficiency in their events. Many have been somewhere in between as well.
The highlight for the Porter Cowboys came in 2007 when they won a regional championship. Also around that time they won some District 32-5A titles with the help of standout swimmers such as Jonathan Castillo and Patrick Everitt.
Ortega said his message to the Porter swimmers has always been the same.
“It’s to do the right thing and try your best at all times,” he said. “That’s something that applies to life, not just athletics. Whether it’s practicing (in the pool) together as a group or on your own, it’s what you should try to do.
“Jonathan and Patrick did the right thing and were always trying to do their best,” Ortega added. “That’s how you win a regional championship.”
This season’s Porter swimming team includes a number of underclassmen with a good amount of potential, Ortega said.
The Cowboys are preparing for the 32-5A meet Jan. 29 at Brownsville’s Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center.
“This is the second straight year for us and Pace to be in that district with some schools from the Upper Valley, and it’s a very tough district,” Ortega said. “There are some strong teams such as PSJA (High) and PSJA Southwest.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t had the elite type of swimmer participate with us in a while, and we’re working hard to try to change that,” he added. “We’ve got some great numbers this year. We started off with 55 swimmers. A lot of them are learn-to-swim kids. We’ve got a pretty good core group right now, and hopefully they stay together and can help make things different in a couple of years to come.
“Our goal is to do the best we can. That’s why we’re here (daily at the Clark Center) practicing hard, even over the holidays, because you have to continue to work out (to do well). As long as we improve day to day and meet to meet, we’ll accomplish our goals in that regard (of doing our best).”
Among the swimmers to watch for the Porter boys are Jorge Banda, Miguel Angel Villanueva, Jerry Limas and Chris Sandoval. For the girls it’s Karla Zendejas, Sandy Mendoza and Joleen Carrizales.
UPDATE: The 16-team field is complete for the Harlingen CISD Winter Splash Bash Invitational on Friday and Saturday at the recently opened Harlingen Aquatic Center.
In addition to host schools Harlingen High and Harlingen South, the field includes Rivera, Lopez, Los Fresnos, St. Joseph Academy, Sharyland High, Sharyland Pioneer, Mission High, Mission Veterans Memorial, Weslaco High, Weslaco East, Edinburg Vela, McAllen High, McAllen Memorial and McAllen Rowe.
Also, the District 32-6A meet is scheduled to be held Jan. 29 and 30 at the Harlingen Aquatic Center. A pre-district meet, which should attract most if not all of the 32-6A teams, is scheduled for Jan. 8 and 9 at the same site.
UPCOMING: The upcoming swimming & diving meets include the Winter Splash Bash Invitational, Friday and Saturday at Harlingen; Santa’s On His Way Meet, Friday and Saturday at Roma; PSJA Tri-City Holiday Hustle Class 5A Invitational, Dec 11 and 12; Pre-Regional Meet, Dec. 11 and 12 at the Clark Center; Brownsville City Meet, Dec. 18 at the Clark Center.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.