The excitement is building as the South Texas STX Championship is set to take center stage at the YMCA Alice Multi-Use Complex from Feb. 2 through 4. This highly anticipated meet welcomes South Texas Swimming athletes, both attached and unattached to teams, for a thrilling display of aquatic prowess.
With entry deadlines closed on January 22nd and January 29th, swimmers from across the region have eagerly signed up to showcase their skills at this prestigious event. The YMCA Alice Multi-Use Complex is buzzing with anticipation, gearing up to host one of the largest meets in Alice’s history.
Jessica Marruffo, the Facility Director at the Y-Alice Multiplex, expresses her enthusiasm, stating that this championship is a testament to the passion and dedication of the swimming community. The YMCA Alice Multi-Use Complex is expecting a high turnout, with estimates ranging between 400 and 500 swimmers.
“I’m actually super excited. I am up for the challenge,” said Marruffo. “I’m always up for the challenge. My goal here is to get this facility utilized to the best of its ability … for it’s original purpose and for the good of this community.”
“I’m so excited,” said Marruffo. “This is just another big step for us. I feel like that is all due to God’s grace. I owe it all to God. I think it’s all God’s timing. I just feel very blessed to be given this opportunity and I know bigger things are yet to come.”
Marruffo and the YMCA Alice Multi-Use Complex secured the bid to be the site of the championship. According to Marruffo, it was their customer service and friendly staff, along with the amenities that the complex has, that secured them the bid.
The event promises to be a celebration of athleticism and sportsmanship, providing a platform for swimmers to demonstrate their training and commitment. Spectators can look forward to witnessing thrilling races, record-breaking performances, and the camaraderie that defines the spirit of competitive swimming.
While the South Texas STX Championship is the largest meet the YMCA Alice Multi-Use Complex has housed, it has recently also been the site of several UIL meets.
High Performance Aquatics club and its owner, Coach Dean “Kondo” Kondziolka, will be the host for the event.
“You know, I had a vision of putting on top quality competitions just over a year ago,” said Kondziolka, “To find the proper location, the proper court, the proper coordination and cooperation was really quite a blessing. When I got in touch with Jessica, I think just over a year ago, and told her about what I wanted to do, she was super excited and welcomed me in to expose myself to whatever I need to do to get that place in top notch shape, to be able to run competitions and eventually run top level championship meets.”
According to Kondziolka, part of what drew him to the YMCA Alice Multi-Use Complex was its friendly and welcoming staff. In addition, he noted that the staff was extremely professional and excited to grow and evolve.
“That is the key in trying to find people that are open to new ideas,” said Kondziolka … When you look at the actual facility, it is so ideal because it is such an awesome amount of space. Everything is working great. It’s in topnotch condition and so underutilized. That’s one of the things I’m really excited about is to be able to turn things around and bring this to this location because it has a fantastic amount of space for everybody.”
Kondziolka said that he is excited to work with the YMCA Alice Multi-Use Complex in the future as well, noting that anytime there is a possibility to work with the YMCA in future meets, he would like it to be at the YMCA Alice Multi-Use Complex.
One such meet is the South Texas B Championships in July. Kondziolka said he definitely wants the board to consider holding this large meet at the YMCA Alice Multi-Use Complex as well.
Hosting this meet at the YMCA Alice Multi-Use Complex fulfills the YMCA of the Coastal Bends mission to further youth development within the region.