Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Sergio Tamayo, Havre High Swimming

It has been an exciting year for Sergio Tamayo, who came to Havre as a foreign exchange student and is now getting set to take part in the Class A state swimming meet this weekend in Bozeman. The action will get under way Friday and conclude Saturday for Tamayo and his teammates.

For Tamayo, swimming is something that he has been doing for a long time, since around the age of 12 and this season, he has gotten to show exactly what he can do in the pool for the Havre High boys swimming team, which is hoping to make some noise in the team competition at state.

While the Pony boys will need a strong effort in order to come away with the team championship, Tamayo has a chance to score some individual points, which could be key to the effort. The senior will compete in two different events as an individual at state and those are the 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle.

In his last meet before state at the Missoula Invitational, Tamayo looked to be in strong form in both events as he finished fifth in each. With the Class A swimming meet being held separately from the Class AA swimming meet, Tamayo should have a chance to make some points for HHS.

While swimming is one of his passions, Tamayo is a three-sport athlete. Back in the fall, he ran cross country for Havre High and was able to run at the state cross country meet for the Blue Ponies, an experience that could serve him well this weekend.

Tamayo also said that his other sport is soccer, a sport that he played in his home country of Spain. He said that when he played in high school he was a midfielder, and after finishing out this school year in Havre, he plans to return to his home country and seek more education. He also said he may be interested in coaching.

Yet, his focus right now and the focus of the rest of his Havre swimming teammates is the state meet and before Tamayo and the Ponies head out of town, the Havre Daily News caught up with him for questions.

HDN: So when did you come here as a oreign exchange student?

Tamayo: "I arrived here in August on the 30th and I will be staying the entire high school year."

HDN: How do you like it so far?

Tamayo: "I have enjoyed it. I like the school and I have made lots of friends, and it has been a good experience."

HDN: What is one of the biggest differences?

Tamayo: "I think the time of meals is one of the biggest difference. The school is also different. In Spain, your senior year is very difficult."

HDN: What have you enjoyed the most about swimming for the Ponies?

Tamayo: "I really liked swimming because I made a lot of friends. Everyone is really nice."

HDN: What is your goal for state?

Tamayo: "We are all working towards the same goal and that is to win state. But if we don't do it, it's not a failure because we have all worked so hard for it."