Timberwolves host buffaloes in first swim meet of the season For the first time in almost two years, two Manteca Unified schools went head-to-head in a swim meet hosted at Sierra High School.
administrators, staff, coaches, players, and spectators were all extremely excited to be a part of the event.
It was not a typical swim meet. Spectators were seated by household families at least 6 feet from others. Players waiting for their events wore face-coverings and avoided team huddles and handshakes. Coaches didn’t give high-fives or pats-on-the-back to their players. But even with those differences, the atmosphere at the competition was true to form; loud, exciting, and positive! Coaches yelled instructions and encouragement to their players. Spectators roared and cheered at the end of each event and held signs for their team and athletes. Players competed and pushed themselves to their physical limits.
“It’s been pretty crazy, especially only having 2 weeks of practice before our first meet. Normally we get at least 6 weeks of conditioning beforehand,” said Manteca Buffaloes head coach Cari Bright. “But I am beyond proud of the swimmers that showed up. They are making improvements every day, and they aren’t letting a year without sports hold them back.”
Though there were many safety protocols in place and teams had much less time to prepare for their first competition, school
Despite a strong effort by the Buffaloes, the Timberwolves took home victories for both the boys and girls teams. Sierra High’s Zachary Van Zwaluwenberg took first place in three different events, the 200yard individual medley, the 200 medley relay with Josh Brake, Gabriel Monsterio, Jordan Shinn and the 400 freestyle relay (with
Joshua Thomas, Moises Alvarado, and Jacob Hargus. Monsterio also took 1st in the 100 butterfly, and 100 backstroke. Brake and Hargus won the 100- and 200yard freestyle respectively, while Raymond Martinez took home 1st in the 500-yard freestyle. “After the meet, I was most proud of the determination and attitude of the students. Even though we were outnumbered, our players were still very positive,” added Bright. From Manteca High, Camden Steckler took first in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard breast, and the 200-yard freestyle relay (with Evani Gaeta, Jaycob Funsch, and Jerry Walser. Madelaine Patterson took home 1st place in the 100-yard backstroke for the Lady Buffs.
