Belen, Los Lunas and Valencia swimmers head to state championships

Making a splash, or at least a ripple, is the goal for Belen, Los Lunas and Valencia Friday and Saturday during the New Mexico Swimming and Diving Championships at the Albuquerque Academy Natatorium."

"BHS leads the Valencia County contingent, with swimmers qualifying in four events, all on the boys side." The 200 freestyle and 200 medley relay teams will feature Nehemiah Sanchez, Arbin Apodaca, Cole Rodriguez and Diego Vigil. Individually, Rodriguez qualified for the 100 backstroke and Vigil in the 200 individual medley.

"The LLHS boys 200 yard freestyle relay team of Luke Hetes, Lucas Bland, Oen Martinez and Riley Sweeney will compete Saturday in one of the last events of the meet." That quartet from Los Lunas will race at the Albuquerque Academy Natatorium as local entries round out the meet schedule Friday and Saturday.

"Martinez qualified individually in the 100 breaststroke, as did Valencia’s Andres Burkhard." Those individual 100 breaststroke entries mean both Los Lunas and Valencia will have representation in the breaststroke finals and consolation heats during the two-day championship window.

"The VHS girls will be represented by Ava Casaus Carrasco in the 200 individual medley." Valencia High School's girls program sends Casaus Carrasco to compete in the IM on the same Friday-Saturday timetable at the Albuquerque Academy Natatorium.

Local fans looking for specifics can follow the meet schedule at the Albuquerque Academy Natatorium over the two days; the LLHS boys 200 yard freestyle relay is slated Saturday among the final events. For follow-up or local coverage queries, the Valencia County News-Bulletin office is at 221 S. Main St., Suite B, Belen, NM 87002, phone 505-864-4472, email vcnb@news-bulletin.com.