On Saturday, Sept. 15, Miner Swimmers competed in the Wolves Invitational Swim Meet. The meet was designated as a qualifying meet, which was the first opportunity that Miner Swimmers could achieve qualifying times for the Division III State Championship Meet to be held in November. Over 1,000 Swimmers from 50 Schools from all Divisions competed at the meet.
While the Miners showed they could compete with schools of all sizes, the real prize was the potential qualifying times they came home with. The fastest 24 swimmers in each individual event are eligible to compete at Division III State and the Miners swam several times that are likely to make the cut. Qualifying Times are designated as provisional or automatic. A provisional time will allow a swimmer to enter the State Championship Meet, but only the fastest 24 swimmers will be allowed to compete. An Automatic Qualifying time guarantees that a swimmer can compete at the Championship Meet and is based on the last few years average 8th place time in each event.
Senior Michael Primero-Predgo (Photo courtesy Apuron Photography)
Senior Michael Primero-Predgo achieved provisional qualifying times in the 100 Freestyle (54.68) and the 100 Backstroke (1:08.65). Additionally, his lead off leg on a relay was also good enough to earn a provisional qualifying time in the 50 Free (24.86)
Senior Darien Apuron (Photo Courtesy Apuron Photography)
Senior Darien Apuron achieved provisional times in the 200 Individual Medley (2:26.33) and the 100 Fly (1:03.63). Even though both times are just outside the Automatic Time Cut, Coaches are confident that Darien will be back at the State Championship Meet again for her 4th consecutive year.
Sophomore Evan Apuron (Photo Courtesy Apuron Photography)
Sophomore Evan Apuron had some outstanding swims at the meet. Evan achieved an Automatic State Qualifying Time in the 200 Individual Medley with a time of 2:00.62. The time is one of the fastest in the State and is a new School Record, eclipsing the School Record held by Will Newman (2:00.74 in 2015). Evan also achieved an Automatic State Qualifying Time in the 100 Breaststroke with time of 1:01.81 and a new School Record – he better his own record of 1:03.83 set in 2017.
The Boys Relay Team of Hunter Hill, Evan Apuron, Jayden Smith, and Michael Primero-Predgo achieved a provisional time in the 200 Medley Relay with a time of 2:01.58.
The Boys Relay Team of Michael Primero-Predgo, Daniel Garcia, Hunter Hill, and Evan Apuron achieved a provisional time in the 200 Freestyle Relay with a time of 1:43.45.
“Miner Swimmers swam some great times at the meet,” said Coach Alex Gort. “Darien, Evan and Michael looked great and will be returning to State in individual events. There is quite a bit of excitement about getting the Boys Relays qualified and doing it so early in the season. The Girls Relays swam some fast times, and I am optimistic that they will achieve qualifying times soon.”
The team looks forward to seeing how Miner Swimmers will be ranked in Division III Standings when they come out next week.
Miner Swimmers will travel to Sahuarita on Thursday, Sept. 20, to swim against Sahuarita High School and St. Augustine HS. The meet begins at 4 p.m.