The Mesquite Manta Rays, a city-sponsored swim team, celebrated their annual end-of-season party this week, capping off their largest season yet with 93 swimmers. The summer was packed with competitive meets, including the Hot Top Invitational in Hurricane, Utah, and a home meet against Utah Tech on July 12. Hosting a meet is a huge undertaking, with coaches and volunteers working together to run the bullpen, time races, and prepare awards. The team’s hard work paid off, as they proudly received their medals at practice the following week.

The Manta Rays showed their competitive spirit at the Beat the Heat meet on July 19, a highlight of the season that also included a parents’ and coaches’ race. Mesquite’s parents dominated the 100 freestyle relay, and the Manta Rays coaches, led by head coach Beau Garrett, secured first place in their relay. Garrett, a Virgin Valley High School senior, said, “Beat the Heat has been one of my favorite meets growing up because of the parent/coach relay.”

The season culminated in the championship meet on July 26 at Utah Tech University, where 43 Manta Rays swimmers competed. Forty of them advanced to the finals, helping the team secure an impressive third-place finish overall. The summer-only team practices four days a week at the Mesquite Recreation Center pool from May to July. Garrett, who has coached the team for two years, expressed his gratitude to the City of Mesquite for their support and praised his assistant coaches, Alya Andrade, Ember Anderson, and Sophia Torres, for their invaluable help. “I am super blessed to be able to coach the Manta Ray swim team,” he said.