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Making a splash

Coastal Bend swimmers prepared to shine at state competition

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  • Wes Bloomquist •
  • Originally published July 23, 2008 at 11:37 p.m., updated July 23, 2008 at 11:37 p.m.

From swimmers in college to competitors in elementary school, the Coastal Bend Swim League is set to send 49 members to the Texas Amateur Athletics Federation’s Games of Texas this week.

“I think this is wonderful for the younger kids to see the older ones out here,” said league president Sharon Burns. “It’s very exciting for the younger kids to get out there and see older swimmers competing. They have good role models right here.”

Nancy Parma is getting ready for her first year at the University of Texas and the Games of Texas and enjoys having an influence at the pool.

“They look up to you as leaders,” Parma said. “I’ve always tried to help them out with their technique and the right way to swim.”

The swimming events will be held from Friday to Sunday at the Palo Alto College Natatorium in San Antonio. The Games of Texas is expecting to have over 10,000 athletes from across the state competing in 21 events.

Hope Burns who is going into the fifth grade at Faith Academy enjoys being around the older swimmers, but isn’t afraid to go up against them.

“I’m usually faster than most of them,” said Burns of the older swimmers, “but they are all really nice.”

Burns will be swimming in her fifth state championships, while Parma will experience her first. Parma started swimming competitively in her senior year at Memorial but is ready to see what it’s going to be like in San Antonio.

“You really have to work hard because there is going to be so much competition,” Parma said. “Swimmers come from all over. I just got into swimming in my senior year because it was a good workout and was fun.”

Victor Huber is going to be a senior at Memorial this year and is using his experience in the swim league to help the younger swimmers.

“If you work hard and stay at it you will get good,” said Huber who is about to swim in his fifth Games of Texas. “They can watch us and see that putting in time pays off.”

“I hope one day to be as fast as them,” said Mason Carroll who is a sixth grader at Patti Welder.

Among the youngest of the swimmers, Hayden Price, 10, is already an experienced competitor. Price will take part in the 25-meter butterfly, 25 backstroke and a relay. This will mark the fifth straight year he’s made the trip to state.

“I really enjoy these meets,” Price said. “It’s a great way to express yourself and compete against others. The state meet is kind of scary against other people you’ve never raced before.”

Wes Bloomquist is a sports writer at the Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6509 or wbloomquist@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.

  • TAAF Games of Texas

    Swimming at Palo Alto College Natatorium, San Antonio

    Friday-Sunday

    Coastal Bend Swim League sending 49 swimmers



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