NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
The RGV’s top Class 5A divers and swimmers put their talents to the test Friday and Saturday afternoon against some of the best from the Coastal Bend area at the Region VIII Regional meet at the Corpus Christi Cabaniss Natatorium.
On Friday, Mission Veterans junior diver Victoria Bonilla won her third regional gold and advanced to state with a score of 316.35.
Valley distance swimmers were the top dogs coming into the boys 500 freestyle. Pioneer junior Trevor Heath finished ahead of PSJA Southwest freshman Issac Velasquez by less than a tenth of second during Friday’s prelims.
On Saturday, however, youth was able to top experience as Velasquez took gold in the event with a time of 4:48.92. Heath finished with a 4:53.79 and a ticket to the state meet.
“We knew it was going to be a two-horse race in this specific event so we made sure he didn’t burn all his energy (Friday),” PSJA Southwest coach Jonathan Landero said. “We talked about just getting yourself into the right position for today’s final.”
The 9th grader realized that overcoming an established distance swimmer was a grand achievement.
“It was tough, he’s hard to beat,” Velasquez said. “Winning a gold medal is pretty awesome for me, I got really emotional. I went against one of the fastest guys in the Valley. I accomplished my goal.”
Issac is the younger brother of former Javelinas Joshua and Joseph Velaquez, who ushered in an era of state qualifiers at the high school.
“It’s a special thing to see him swim,” Landero said.“His older brothers were really talented of course, they paved the way for him but he’s really special. He’s very motivated and his talent is unmatched really.”
As a freshman, the excitement for Issac’s future is warranted. For the youngster, he was happy to win in front of one of his older brothers.
“It’s really awesome,” Issac said. “I really wanted him to be at the meet. I wish Joseph was there too but he had to work. I’m glad Joshua was there to support me, my family.”
District 31-5A boys champion Sharyland Pioneer earned a win in the 200-yard freestyle relay. The team with Ethan Saenz, Ethan Montalvo, Andrew Adkins and Trevor Heath edged out the group from Tuloso-Midway with a 1:29.38.
Sharyland High girls also had a relay runners up in the same event. Charlize Samperio, Ivanna Gonzalez Lozano, Mariana Martinez Cruz and Gabriela Gonzalez will advance to state with their time of 1:46.37
Flour Bluff was dominant as they usually are at the meet in its backyard. The Hornet girls won the meet with 554 points, Sharyland High was second with 187, Tuloso-Midway finished third with 176 points.
In the boys’ team standings Flour Bluff took the team title with 313, Tuloso-Midway had 281 in second and Corpus Christi Vets rounded out the team podium with 248.
5A State qualifiers:
Mission Veterans: Victoria Bonilla, 1-meter dive (1st place)
Sharyland High: Girls 200 freestyle relay, Charlize Samperio, Ivanna Gonzalez Lozano, Mariana Martinez Cruz, Gabriela Gonzalez (1st place)
PSJA Southwest: Issac Velasquez, 500 freestyle (1st place)
Sharyland Pioneer: Boys 200 freestyle relay, Ethan Saenz, Ethan Montalvo, Andrew Adkins, Trevor Heath (2nd place); 500 freestyle, Trevor Heath (2nd place); 200 individual medley, Trevor Heath (2nd place), 1-meter diving Marc Rodriguez (3rd place)