The Riverbank Barracudas enjoyed their second week in the competitive waters as the squad made the lengthy trek to Patterson to take on the recreational programs from Delhi and Patterson. They made the drive worth it with a quality effort.
The Barracudas took strides in the right direction competing against Delhi's Dolphins and the Pirates from Patterson.
In just their second competitive meet of the season, Barracuda fans have reason to stay focused.
The squad took care of business in meet two, taking to the pool with a business like approach against their rival two squads.
"Some of our swimmers are really competitive," Barracuda coach Tristan Long said. "Some of them are very competitive amongst each other and against the other teams."
Long has partnered up with first-time Barracuda swimming coach Ashleigh Gresham, who has helped the squad take to new levels. Gresham is making her debut with the team, yet has seemingly fit right into the scheme of things.
"This is somewhat different than what I expected in the beginning," Gresham said. "When I first started doing it I thought it would be pretty fun, but I am seeing that it really is a lot of hard work. I've actually got in with the kids a couple times and taught them a few strokes.
"I just love it, it's been so much fun."
Riverbank has seen a handful of swimmers make immediate impacts, giving the Barracuda coaching staff reason to be proud already.
"Avella Dimberg has really done a great job," Long said. "She took a first place in her butterfly which was awesome and Mitchell Bryant also has done a great job.
"They have really stepped up already this season."
The Barracudas will match up with the other two programs for the duration of the season, forcing all the kids to get quite familiar with each other before season's end.
Riverbank would love to close each meet with the highest point total, yet beating the opposition is not the only way to put together a good meet.
"I was always taught if you beat your opponent that's alright," Long said. "But it is always better to beat your own times. That's what I try and focus on.
"I remind each kid before the get in the pool, 'this is your time, this is the time you need to beat'."
The method has worked thus far this season and will be the guidepost for the squad for the duration. Beating Delhi and Patterson will obviously be one of the focus points, but putting together a season worth of upgrades is the top priority.
"I see so many improvements out of all of the kids," Gresham said. "There is one little girl in particular (Gabriella Gonzales) when she started she had such a hard time and now I can she has gotten so much better.
"We are seeing those kinds of improvements all over the pool."
The three squads will meet up in Riverbank on July 17 at 5 p.m. for the next competition.
The Barracudas took strides in the right direction competing against Delhi's Dolphins and the Pirates from Patterson.
In just their second competitive meet of the season, Barracuda fans have reason to stay focused.
The squad took care of business in meet two, taking to the pool with a business like approach against their rival two squads.
"Some of our swimmers are really competitive," Barracuda coach Tristan Long said. "Some of them are very competitive amongst each other and against the other teams."
Long has partnered up with first-time Barracuda swimming coach Ashleigh Gresham, who has helped the squad take to new levels. Gresham is making her debut with the team, yet has seemingly fit right into the scheme of things.
"This is somewhat different than what I expected in the beginning," Gresham said. "When I first started doing it I thought it would be pretty fun, but I am seeing that it really is a lot of hard work. I've actually got in with the kids a couple times and taught them a few strokes.
"I just love it, it's been so much fun."
Riverbank has seen a handful of swimmers make immediate impacts, giving the Barracuda coaching staff reason to be proud already.
"Avella Dimberg has really done a great job," Long said. "She took a first place in her butterfly which was awesome and Mitchell Bryant also has done a great job.
"They have really stepped up already this season."
The Barracudas will match up with the other two programs for the duration of the season, forcing all the kids to get quite familiar with each other before season's end.
Riverbank would love to close each meet with the highest point total, yet beating the opposition is not the only way to put together a good meet.
"I was always taught if you beat your opponent that's alright," Long said. "But it is always better to beat your own times. That's what I try and focus on.
"I remind each kid before the get in the pool, 'this is your time, this is the time you need to beat'."
The method has worked thus far this season and will be the guidepost for the squad for the duration. Beating Delhi and Patterson will obviously be one of the focus points, but putting together a season worth of upgrades is the top priority.
"I see so many improvements out of all of the kids," Gresham said. "There is one little girl in particular (Gabriella Gonzales) when she started she had such a hard time and now I can she has gotten so much better.
"We are seeing those kinds of improvements all over the pool."
The three squads will meet up in Riverbank on July 17 at 5 p.m. for the next competition.
