The Belen Hurricanes swim team is closing out its regular-season on Saturday with a double meet against Socorro and Truth or Consequences in Socorro. With the deadline for Sundance Aquatic Championships qualifying already passed, the Hurricanes are looking to the future.
“All but two of our swimmers qualified for the meet,” Hurricanes head coach Sandra Wright announced. “We have had 100 percent improvement from everyone on the team this year.”
Wright attributes the team’s success to a new-found work ethic and enthusiasm.
“The kids are very enthusiastic,” Wright said. “They’re asking me for more practice, and it’s a nice change. The kids have had a turn around in their attitude. They are asking us to push them harder instead of us making them practice.”
Coach Wright is especially proud of her group because of how well they are doing considering the lack of practice they actually get.
“The other teams are swimming year-round because they have indoor pools, but this team has only been practicing for a few months,” Wright said.
“For my kids to be placing where they are is great, considering where they’re coming from,” Wright added. “As long as they give 100 percent, I know they’ll do well.”
Another contributing factor to the Hurricanes success, according to Wright, is the way they practice.
“I tell the kids everyday: it’s not how long you practice, but what you do at practice,” the coach said. “The team could practice for 10 hours a day, but if they’re just goofing off, I don’t consider that practice.”
The Sundance Aquatic Championships will be held July 27-29 in Albuquerque.
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April 19, 2024
