By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Barracudas Open Season With Home Meet
36191a.jpg
36191a
The Riverbank Barracudas recreational swim team got its 2009 swimming season under way with a solid performance in the squad's first tri-meet of the season.

The Barracudas got things splashing by rolling out the welcome mats for the Delhi Dolphins and the Patterson Pirates. Riverbank was able to put the unbearable heat behind them and put forth a quality effort in the season opener.

"We've swam against Delhi before," Barracudas coach Tristan Long said. "But Patterson was a new team, so the kids were a little nervous about them.

"I think they did a great job."

Riverbank opened up action on the right fin, putting themselves in position to win the meet with quality performances from several of their swimmers. The Barracudas lost a lot of talent from a season ago, yet they seem to be prepared to improve on a week-to-week basis.

"I had a lot of new swimmers in their first meet," Long said. "We also had some returnees, so combined they put together a tremendous effort. We had over 60 swimmers and out of the 63 only one girl was close to missing her race.

"But she dove in just as the buzzer went off."

Riverbank will look to keep gaining momentum as the season continues, but the squad will have to make some transitions, transitions that the Barracudas coaching staff hope will push the team to new levels.

"I don't feel that any of us have to improve drastically on their strokes," Long said. "But what we do have to do is improve on being a team. They have to get better at cheering for one another.

"I'm a team person and I want them to support one another."

The Barracudas will be back in the water July 3 when they make the trip to Patterson to take on the Pirates in both squads' first dual meet of the young season.

Action will take place at the Patterson Community Pool beginning at 5 p.m.