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Raya Woods swimming the anchor of the Medley Relay. Vince Apuron | Apuron Photography
Cita Sweeney swimming the lead off leg of the Medley Relay. Vince Apuron | Apuron Photography
Darien Apuron swimming her record breaking Fly.
Vince Apuron | Apuron Photography
After several weeks of practices, the Miner Swim Team opened the season at Phoenix Country Day on Sept. 1 against Phoenix Country Day School, Bradshaw Mountain High School (Prescott Valley), and Scottsdale Christian Academy. The Miners looked sharp in the opener setting six new school records.
The Girls Medley Relay team of Senior Cita Sweeney, Freshman Gianna Sweeney, Freshman Darien Apuron, and Sophomore Raya Woods broke the school record by over 2 seconds with a time of 2:09.25. Gianna Sweeney won the 50 Freestyle in School Record time of 27.23 (previously 27.64 held by Cierra Austin). Gianna also broke the school record in the 100 Breaststroke with a time of 1:13.74 (previous record was 1:20.34 held by Cierra Austin). Darien Apuron also grabbed a couple of school records in her first meet – the 100 Butterfly with a time of 1:06.89 and the 100 Backstroke with a time of 1:07.90 bettering the previous records held by her older sister Amara (1:24.55 and 1:13.09 respectively). Despite the great swims, the Miners finished 4th in the meet (PCDS 166, Bradshaw Mtn 150, Scottdale Christian 107, San Manuel 102).
Senior Taylor Woods set a new School Record in the 100 Freestyle of 54.52 (previous record of 54.66 was held by Junior Colbey Stratton). Against tough competition, Sophomore Will Newman won the 200 IM (2:06.78) and 100 Backstroke (58.02). Senior Jacob Christian won the 500 Freestyle with a time of 5:56.36. Woods, Newman, Christian, and Stratton won both the 200 and 400 Freestyle Relays. The Miners won more Swimming events than any other team at the meet, but a lack of divers and a smaller overall team size resulted in the boys finishing 2nd in the team scores (PCDS 186, San Manuel 136, Bradshaw Mtn 121, Scottsdale Christian 59).
Head Coach Alex Gort was happy to see several Miners achieve State Qualifying times even though it is not official until they swim them at a Qualifying Meet. Darien Apuron, Gianna Sweeney, Will Newman and Colbey Stratton swam fast enough to qualify for State in individual events. Both the Boys 200 Freestyle and 400 Freestyle Relays, as well as, the Girls 200 Medley Relay achieved times likely to earn a spot at the State Championship Meet.
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