Surf gearing up for TAAF Summer Games

There’s not much surf in McAllen. However, the city of Bedford swim team is hoping to change that this summer.

The Bedford Surf will be competing in the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Region 4 Swim Meet on Saturday and Sunday at the Keller Natatorium. From there, they hope to send a strong contingent to the annual TAAF Summer Games of Texas in McAllen July 28-31.

For those ages 14 and under, the top five finishers in each event qualify for state. Those 15 and over need not qualify, but coach Jesse Barton expects a good turnout.

Barton expects about 50 total swimmers this weekend at regionals. Last season the Surf had five state qualifiers and nine additional swimmers in the 15-and-over group.

“This is my second summer coaching the Bedford Surf Swim Team and I am excited at the progress our team has made,” Barton said. “We are getting more swimmers to come out to the team and seeing a ton of progress from our returning swimmers.”

Kathy Tony (60-64 Women) led the Surf at state last season, winning three gold medals and setting three state records in the 50-yard freestyle, 100 free and 50 backstroke. Elizabeth Nelson (50-54 Women) also brought home three medals, silvers in the 200 free and 50 back, and bronze in the 100 free.

Among the younger swimmers last season, Leana Funa (18-24 Women) and Chris Tony (18-24 Men) had top-10 finishes in the 50 free and 50 breaststroke, respectively. Also, Nicholas Duderstadt (7-8 Boys) posted a top-20 finish in the 25 backstroke.

Swimmers can also qualify advance to the State Games of America, which are held every two years. The next State Games are Aug. 3-6, 2017 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

And while winning is always nice, the coach said it is much more exciting to see swimmers improve and progress. If that coincides with success at state, all the better.

“It’s really exciting to see a swimmer’s face light up after they swim a best time and they realize just how much they improve during the season,” Barton said.

CALENDAR

• July 13-14 - Learn to Skate Camp, Dr Pepper StarCenter, Euless, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Cost $100 for all three days or $40 per day. Call 214-975-3000.
• July 15 - Neighborhood Fishin’ catfish stocking, Chisholm Park, Hurst. Call 817-732-0761.
• July 16 - Summer Heat Tournament, Softball World. Men’s D, Men’s E, Co-Ed. Entry fee $200. Call 817-267-7867 or visit www.eulesstx.gov/sbw.
• July 16-17 - Bedford Splash swim team at Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Region 4 Meet, Keller Natatorium. Contact Tyler Sievert at tyler.sievert@bedfordtx.gov or visit the team’s website at www.bedfordsurf.com.
• July 23 - Ninth Annual Big Apple/NYPD SBW Cup, Softball World. Men’s D, Men’s E, Co-Ed. Call 817-267-7867 or visit www.eulesstx.gov/sbw.
• July 30 - Mid-Cities Tennis Tournament at Hurst Tennis Center. Call 817-788-7330.
• July 30 - Last Chance For State Tournament, softball world. Men’s C, Men’s D, Men’s E, Co-Ed. Call 817-267-7867 or visit www.eulesstx.gov/sbw.

This story was originally published July 11, 2016 at 10:42 AM with the headline "Surf gearing up for TAAF Summer Games."