Tuesday, April 23, 2024
There’s no doubt that the Granbury SEALS swim team puts in hard work at every morning practice.
One look at the heaps of gold medals Granbury brings home after every circuit meet can tell you that.
But this week at the Hood County YMCA where the SEALS practice, there was an extra energy in the air. The Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Region 4 Swim Meet will take place at the Keller ISD Natatorium today and Sunday.
This is the final meet before the TAAF state meet in Austin, and the SEALS have been fine-tuning their techniques to make sure they’re in prime form before taking on the best swimmers from around the state. While some age groups were in the pool swimming laps, others were out in front of the YMCA doing dry land work.
Rayah Gifford has been swimming for three years, but the 13-year-old has already become of the SEALS’ rising stars. She won all three events she swam in at Gran-bury’s circuit meet in June, and plans to swim in the 100 yard freestyle, the 100 yard individual medley, the 50 yard butterfly, the 50 yard backstroke and two relays at region.
She said she’s both “nervous and excited” about the upcoming region and state meets, which give her an opportunity to compete against other high-level talent.
“I know that (competition) pushes me, and I like to push myself, because it makes me a better swimmer,” Gifford said.
Jordan Buchanan, 14, also swept the events he competed in at the Granbury meet. He said he comes into every practice with the mindset of keeping up with the fastest people in the pool.
“I look at some of the faster people, and just try to match them, to work harder and reach their speeds,” he said. “My mentality is that ‘I gotta get up and go.’ Because if I don’t go, then I’m going to get slower, and people are going to pass me up.”
SEALS coach Janet Steenberge said Buchanan and Gifford are examples of a strong work ethic among the teenage SEALS this season. But it’s not just the older kids that are working hard.
A group of younger SEALS were racing – on dry land, that is – outside the YMCA before their practice session Thursday morning, and were gracious enough to share their time with the Hood County News.
Seven-year-old Harper Fox said she’s more concerned about the Navy SEAL Challenge coming up next Wednesday than she is the region meet. She missed out on the first challenge of the summer due to an ear infection.
“Last time I didn’t get to do it,” she said. “I like doing it because it makes you stronger.”
Kyle Brawner, 8, said he’s treating the region meet as “just another meet.” Brawner made state last year in both the 25 yard butterfly and the 100 yard individual medley.
And for 5-year-old Lucas Ragland, the best part of swimming is just being in the water.
“When you swim, when you get in, it’s a little bit cold, but when you start swimming, it gets warmer,” he explained.
Aria Brock is competing in the 15 and older division for the first time in her career. She said she’s had to adjust to the increased level of competition.
“I used to be, comparatively, one of the best swimmers in the younger age group,” she said.”And then I got to 15-and-up, and I’m like, ‘oh, I’m not as good.’”
To combat that, Brock has been swimming in Lane 1 in practices to hone her technique.
“I’m working more on technique and less on speed, because I know speed I can do,” she said. “I’m kind of slowing down my strokes and really focusing on what I’m doing.”
The region meet begins at 8:30 a.m. this morning with the 10 and under boys and the 18 and over men. The 10 and under girls and 18 and over ladies will swim this afternoon.
Sunday will feature the 11-17 boys in the morning and 11-17 girls in the afternoon.
Check Wednesday’s edition of the Hood County News for a full list of medal winners from Granbury.
