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This year’s San Manuel Swim Team members are, from left: (back) Robert Sweeney (SR), Colbey Stratton (SR), Michael Primero-Predgo (SO), Daniel Garcia (SO); (front) BaiLee Hill (FR), Gianna Sweeney (SO), Raya Woods (JR), Bonnie Bridges (SO), Darien Apuron (SO,) Zara Allmendinger (FR) and Jasmine Smith (SO). Not pictured is Michael Garcia (SR). Jeanine Apuron | Apuron Photography
After several weeks of practices including morning practices before school, the Miner Swim Team is ready for the season. During the off season the Arizona Interscholastic Association added a third division for High School Swimming. In previous years, there were only two divisions and San Manuel High School had to swim against teams from much larger schools, some having close to 2000 students. The change puts San Manuel in Division III and where most schools have 1,000 students or fewer (San Manuel HS has around 280 students).
The Boys’ team comes off of a 11-3 season in 2015. They finished 3rd at the Southern Arizona Regional and 15th at Division II State. The Boys’ team set school records in 10 out of the 11 events last year. With a large number of boys graduating in 2015, only 4 boys are returning. Senior Captain Colbey Stratton will lead the charge. Stratton holds 4 school records and has the potential to set some more. Seniors Michael Garcia and Robert Sweeney both swam at the State Championship Meet in 2015 and look ready to return this season. Sophomore Michael Primero-Predgo had a breakout year as a freshman, including a relay swim at the State Championship Meet, and looks ready to pick up where he left off last year. New to the team is Sophomore Daniel Garcia, his quick improvement and hard work in practice leads coaches to believe he will be a big contributor to the team.
The Girls’ team comes off a 5-10 season in 2015. They finished 10th at the Southern Arizona Regional and had swimmers participate at Division II State. The Girls’ team also set school records in 10 out of 11 events last year. Captain Raya Woods is the lone upperclassman returning. She was a member of two school record breaking relay teams in 2015, swims the grueling distance events and hopes to lead the team to new heights. Between Sophomores Darien Apuron (returning Captain) and Gianna Sweeney (2015 Most Valuable Female Miner Swimmer) they hold 10 school records and swam individual events at the State Championship Meet in 2015. Both have worked hard during the off season to improve every stroke in hopes of climbing higher in the standings at the State Championship and seeing that every school record gets broken this season. Sophomore Jasmine Smith returns bringing needed depth to the Butterfly. New to the team, but with considerable summer swimming experience are Sophomore Bonnie Bridges and Freshman BaiLee Hill. Both have a solid foundation of swimming skills that will help the team. Freshman Zara Allmendinger is a first year swimmer that is showing promise as a Backstroker.
Head Coach Alex Gort has high expectations for the team. “Both the Girls’ and Boys’ teams have potential to get several relays and individuals to make it to the State Championship Meet and be a factor in the finals.”
The Miners first meet of the season is Thursday, Sept. 1, at Palo Verde (at Terra De Sol Pool in Tucson).
The first home meet is on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 4 p.m. against Arizona College Prep.
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