Aquatics: District 19-5A takes on tough note

Things will be different for the Memorial swimming and diving team as it tries to reach the Region 5 meet next weekend.

The Mustangs will have to go through competition its accustomed to seeing at the regional competition, but not at its district meet. When it takes to the pool Friday and Saturday at Katy High School Natatorium, Memorial will take on the six Katy ISD schools and Strake Jesuit on the boys side, with preliminary races on Friday and the swimming finals beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday.

The top six finishers in each event advance to the region meet.

"Our team has an excellent chance at the district meet," said Memorial head coach Jason Mauss. "We have between 16-18 kids who have a chance to go to the regional meet. It's going to be tougher with the Katy ISD schools and Strake Jesuit, but we expect to do well at the meet."

Memorial competed twice this month taking on Stratford on the Jan. 8 and Cinco Ranch a week later, but the Mustangs haven't competed against another team in two weeks. The layoff isn't a concern for Mauss.

"It won't play any factor on how we do at district," Mauss said of the two-week break. "We needed to be rested and healthy, so we planned the two weeks off for that reason. The kids needed the break. No matter what, we expect the kids to advance to regional."

For years Memorial has used the district meet as preparation for the regional meet. This year the district meet should be more competitive.

The Katy ISD schools have been teams that the Mustangs normally saw at the regional competition.

That familiarity works both ways, Mauss said.

"They know what we have, and we know what those schools have," he said. "We will see what they have this weekend, and they will see what we have, and we'll see some of them the next weekend at the regional meet. I don't see that as a disadvantage at all.

"We won't have as many advantages as we had in the past, with a lot more swimmers advancing to the regional competition. Unlike in past years, there are going to be some good swimmers who won't advance to the regional meet, but those that do advance will have an advantage competing against the tough competition we will see this weekend."

Memorial will be led by senior Harrison Robinson and sophomore Colin Rockwell, and Rachel Moody and Hannah Cooper, as well as diver Denise Davis.

"Harrison has been a leader all year, and I expect him to do well," Mauss said. "Colin should do well in the 200 and 500 meters.

"Rachel and Hannah should advance for us on the girls' side, and Denise should lead the divers. I expect all the divers to do well. I expect us to have a great meet on both sides."