MIDLAND, Texas — The same day Paris kicked off the 2024 Summer Olympics, Midland held a prestigious event of its own.
COM Aquatics hosted the USA Swimming Age Group Championships for Southern Zones. Swimmers from all over the southern region came to compete. This event pushed swimmers and tested their abilities on one of the biggest stages in West Texas.
Over 486 athletes competed and one swimmer that dominated the water was one of Midland's own. Levi Deshan, 12u swimmer, took home silver in the backstroke event. He also won gold in the Texas Age Group Championships, something that hadn't been done in 10 years.
COM has a history of producing high-level swimmers, with one being 2021 Summer Olympian, Natalie Hinds.
When asking Coach Luke Serrano about what COM provides that other facilities can't, he said, "An opportunity for anybody to come in and strive for whatever they have set out for."
Well, it seems swimmers are maximizing their opportunity and COM isn't done giving out opportunities. At this rate, it will not be long until we see another Midlander swimming for USA on the biggest stage in the world.