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.
“We’ve had stellar growth and development under Mendez,” White said. “We’ve gone from 90 swimmers to more than 170.
“Kathy (Mendez) is an excellent coach and will continue coaching in Oklahoma City,” White said.
Mendez, who returns to Joplin during the week for practices and meets, said she has secured a position with the Chesapeake Energy Company-sponsored Chesapeake Swim Club in Oklahoma City.
Sports
Related Photos
Discussion
July 9, 2009
Stingrays set to defend Joplin Invitational title
-
-
Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
- Both sides of border hope changes make easier entry into Canada
-
- Pittsburg State Sports
-
- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
-
-
Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
-
