Belen Invite swims in excitement

BELEN — With swimmers from eleven schools, along with several hundred fans squeezing together around the pool, the Belen Invitational brought plenty of excitement Saturday to the Belen Eagles Natatorium. It was especially true considering the facility is home to not just Belen swimmers, but those from Los Lunas and Valencia, who also train at the natatorium.

“I think it puts the kids into a better mindset — it’s always fun to join forces,” said Marissa Candelaria, who coaches both VHS and LLHS. “Our athletes did great.”

Alamogordo took the team title for the girls, with VHS fifth, LLHS seventh and BHS eighth. St. Pius won the boys championship, just ahead of Belen. Los Lunas was fourth and Valencia tenth. St. Pius was also first in combined team scores.

The Belen boys had champions in three individual events, with Diego Vigil first in the 200-yard freestyle and Cole Rodriguez, first in both the 200-yard intermediate and 100-yard backstroke.

Rodriguez edged Andres Burkhard of Valencia by three thousandths of a second in the backstroke.

In the 200-yard medley relay, The Eagles finished second while posting a state-qualifying time of 1:51.02. The team was comprised of Rodriguez, Vigil, Arbin Apodaca and Nehemiah Sanchez, who had a state-qualifying time of 23.75 in the 50-yard freestyle.

A strong effort for Los Lunas came in the 200-yard medley relay, with the team of Luke Hetes, Naron Campbell, Riley Sweeney and Oen Martinez third.

For the girls, Valencia’s Ava Casaus hit the wall first in the 200-yard freestyle, while the Jaguars were third in the 400-yard freestyle relay behind Casaus, Ava Marie Burkhard, Gabriella Holmes and Lillyana Wheeler.

A highlight for Los Lunas was in the 200-yard medley relay, a third-place finish with the combination of Ila Padilla, Allie Holden, Sol Romero and Rhys Romero.

Belen swimmers were tightly bunched in the 100-yard backstroke, with Maya Rodriguez fifth, Jayli Baca sixth, and Lolah Baca seventh, less than two seconds apart.

This was one of the last tune-ups before the NMAA State Swimming and Diving Championships Feb. 21-22 at Albuquerque Academy.