By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

Joplin Swim Team coach Kathy Mendez believes the Stingrays’ successful season will continue on Saturday and Sunday as they strive to defend their Joplin Invitational title.

Mendez, who’s in her fifth and final summer with the Stingrays, left the impression on Thursday during a telephone conversation that wins are secondary

“Swimming is a sport for a lifetime,” Mendez said. “We’re teaching life skills. If we do that, we’re successful.

“The swimmers learn to work hard, cooperate, communicate and work together,” Mendez said.

Bill White, president of The Joplin Swim Team, Inc., recalled a runner-up effort at Monett and all firsts in previous meets this season.

Said Mendez: “The whole group has come together. That’s not only the swimmers. It’s their parents, board members and coaches.

“We’re the favorites (this weekend),” Mendez said. She pointed to numbers and the advantage of swimming at home.

White said Joplin has entered nearly 150 of its more than 170 swimmers. He expects more than 550 swimmers and 11 teams to compete at Schifferdecker Pool.

Starting time on both Saturday and Sunday is 9 a.m.

Communities represented, in addition to Joplin and Monett, are Webb City, Carthage, Branson, Claremore (Okla.), Lamar, Nevada, Pittsburg, Siloam Springs (Ark.) and Springfield (Missouri State Aquatics).

Mendez, who’s moved to Oklahoma City, is a graduate of Putnam City High School and the University of Central Oklahoma.

Kyle Kearbey, the Stingrays’ assistant head coach, swam for Nevada High School and Drury University of Springfield.

Mendez has four more assistants. They are Abby Allison, Jessica Bagley, Kate Blundell and Sarah Emerson.