Laughlin Diamondbacks excel in San Antonio Published Dec. 17, 2008 LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The first meet of the Del Rio Diamondbacks Fall and Winter season were a success with 18 swimmers competing at the San Antonio Natatorium downtown. Six were competing in their first competitive meet. "The swimmers have been practicing since Sept. 10 learning the basics of the strokes and preparing for this day of competition", said Garrett Thompson, Diamondbacks head coach. Nearly 400 swimmers from South Texas competed in the two-day event. Jacob Caniglia, 13, swam 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke and already improved his times from the first practice meet in October. "It was awesome", said Caniglia, "a lot of fun to race." Five other swimmers competing for the first time were: Virginia Beineke, 10, in the 100-meter breaststroke, 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter backstroke; Lily Shandersky, 11, in the 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter backstroke; Ashley Mercier, 13, in the 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter backstroke; Amber Garcia, 13, in the 100-meter breaststroke, 50-meter freestyle and 200-meter freestyle; Breanna Jorgensen, 13, placed 5th in the 100-meter breaststroke and 8th in the 500-meter freestyle also swam the 50-meter, 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle. Coach Thompson said the swim team performed fantastic overall, placing in the top eight in 30 out of 70 events. Laura Kneeskern, 12, Ben Jackey 10, Abby Romero, 12, Jonathan Rought, 10, and Michael Thompson, 7, took the majority of the top 8 finishes. First place victories and USA Motivational "BB" times were won by Kara Thompson, 10, in the 50-meter breaststroke, Ben Jackey, 10, in the 200-meter freestyle and Jonathan Rought, 10 in the 50-meter backstroke. Other swimmers finishing in the top 8 in their events include: Leah Evans, Sarah Jackey, Miriam Rought, and Josh Jackey. The swimmers practice at the Losano Fitness Center swimming pool and will attend one more meet in December and January while focusing on the State Age Group Championship meet in February and/or the South Texas Junior Olympics meet in Corpus Christie on Mar 6-8. The Diamondbacks swim year-round, Coach Thompson said, and welcome any swimmers interested to visit the website at www.delriodiamondbacks.com or call Coach Thompson at 422-6862. Visitors are welcome to the team's practices Tuesday and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. or Saturday 10 to 12 a.m.