Manta Rays finish strong at big meet
Led by the strong swimming of 9-year-old Chloe Isleta, the
Hollister Manta Ray swim team earned enough points to finish in
16th place at last weekend’s prestigious Far Western Swim
Championships, which took place in Pleasanton.
Manta Rays finish strong at big meet
Led by the strong swimming of 9-year-old Chloe Isleta, the Hollister Manta Ray swim team earned enough points to finish in 16th place at last weekend’s prestigious Far Western Swim Championships, which took place in Pleasanton.
In all, 83 teams from all over the western United States, including Alaska and Canada, competed in the event.
Despite going up against what is considered to be the deepest and fastest tournament field in all of America, the Manta Rays wound up capturing four individual titles. Isleta won three of those titles, which included the 100 and 200 IM as well as the 500 freestyle event.
“It seems like every team has a star athlete,” Manta Ray coach David Steele said. “The Manta Rays are fortunate because we have a sizeable group of highly ranked swimmers. Still, Chloe shines through. She was our high point winner at both the Junior Olympics and now at this meet.”
In four of the races at the Far Western tournament, Isleta’s times were good enough to surpass the NRT (national reportable time) standard – a standard that is never reached by most swimmers in any age group.
While the younger Isleta was gaining most of the attention at the Far Western meet, her 12-year-old sister, Czsarina, was able to capture the 500 freestyle event, despite finishing in eighth place in the preliminary heat qualifier.
“That was an amazing win for Czsarina,” Steele said. “She led from start to finish – showing the kind of guts that most coaches can only dream about. I was very impressed with everyone’s efforts. This was not a walk-on meet. The kids had to achieve qualifying times to enter.”
In addition to the strong performances by the Isleta sisters, seven other Manta Ray swimmers did well enough to meet the tournament’s demanding qualifying standards.
“We have a good group of kids and parents,” Steele said. “My involvement in competitive swimming has been full time for many years. And this team is the most fun I have ever had. Not only are the kids winning at meets but every week I see improvement in their abilities.”
The next Manta Ray competition takes place in Santa Cruz on May 3-4.
