The 2018 Swimming Miners are, from left, (front) Bonnie Bridges (Sr), Darien Apuron (Sr), (middle) Alyssa Riekofski (So), Rianna Estrada (Fr), Estrella Chavez (So), Hunter Hill (Fr), BaiLee Hill (Jr); )back) Evan Apuron (So), Jayden Smith (So), Daniel Garcia (Sr), not pictured Michael Primero-Predgo (Sr). Apuron Photography
After several weeks of practices, the Miner Swim Team opened the season against Palo Verde High School on Aug. 30 at the Terra Del Sol Pool. The Miner Boys team won 70 – 36. The Miner Girls won 6 out of the 11 events contested, but were beaten by a larger Palo Verde Team 77-49.
For the Miner Girls, Junior BaiLee Hill won a close 200 Freestyle in a race that had several lead changes and went on to win the 500 Freestyle later in the meet. Senior and Team Captain Darien Apuron lead the 200 Individual Medley (IM) from start to finish and easily won the 100 Butterfly. Senior Bonnie Bridges won the 100 Freestyle. BaiLee, Darien and Bonnie were joined by Sohpomore Alyssa Riekofski to win the 400 Freestyle Relay.
The Boys team won 9 events at the meet (out of 11). The Boys Medley Relay team of Senior Michael Primero-Predgo, Sophomore Evan Apuron, Sophomore Jayden Smith and Senior Daniel Garcia won with a time of 2:06.6. Freshman Hunter Hill won the 200 Freestyle, his first High School Race. Evan Apuron won the 200 IM and 100 Breaststroke. Michael Primero-Predgo won the 50 Freestyle and 100 Freestyle against some solid competition. Hunter Hill also showed that he has the endurance to win the 500 Freestyle. Jayden Smith won the 100 Backstroke. Michael, Daniel, Hunter and Evan teamed up to win the 200 Freestyle Relay with a time of 1:48.15.
Head Coach Alex Gort was pleased with the opening meet.
“The swimmers are a little run down and sore from several hard weeks of practice and weights, so it was nice to race and see the hard work pay off. Miners had 14 personal best times at the meet. The Boys Relays looked very good and posted some very fast times for the opening meet,” the coach said.
The Miners will travel to the Fort Lowell Pool on Thursday (9/6) to compete against The Gregory School and Morenci High School at 4 p.m.