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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
Miner swimmers had a busy week. First they traveled to Florence on Thursday, Sept. 15, to compete against Florence High School and Arete Prep in a triangular meet and then on Saturday, Sept. 17, they attended the Wolves Classic Invitational at Chandler High School which was the first opportunity to post qualifying times for the State Championship meet to be held on Nov. 5.
On Thursday, the Boys’ Team did not have enough swimmers at the meet to put together a relay team (4 swimmers are required), but they did put together some good swims winning 4 out of the 8 individual events. Robert Sweeney won both the 200 and 500 Freestyle. Colbey Stratton won both the 50 Free and 100 Butterfly. The scores for the Boys’ Meet were Arete Prep 69, Florence High School 42 and San Manuel High School 32.
The scores for the Girls’ Meet were Arete Prep 75, San Manuel High School 50 and Florence High School 38. All three teams had some great swimmers. Outstanding sophomores Darien Apuron and Gianna Sweeney won the only races for the Miners. Apuron won the 100 Butterfly and Sweeney won the 100 Breaststroke.
On Saturday the Miners’ primary goal was for swimmers to experience swimming in big swim meet and to post times that would get them qualified for the Division III State Championship Meet. Over 1,300 swimmers from over 50 teams competed at the meet. Miner swimmers showed that they were not intimidated by the size of the meet and nearly every Miner swimmer swam personal best times. Darien Apuron swam times that will qualify her for the State Championship Meet in the 100 Butterfly and 100 Backstroke. Gianna Sweeney swam School Record times in the 200 Individual Medley (2:23.19) and 100 Breaststroke (1:12.93) to ensure she also will be swimming at the State Championship. Sweeney’s 100 freestyle leadoff leg time of 59.07 in the 400 Freestyle Relay broke the school record previously held by Darien Apuron. Seniors Colbey Stratton and Robert Sweeney swam times that will be close qualifying times, since the fastest 24 swimmers compete at the State Championship, the final qualifiers will not be known until early November.
The Miner Relays showed a lot of promise and have a good chance of making the qualifying cuts. The Boys 400 Freestyle Relay has always been one of the strengths of Miner Swimming, and the team of Robert Sweeney, Michael Primero-Predgo, Michael Garcia, and Colbey Stratton swam a time of 3:55.94 which may already be fast enough to qualify. Since this year only 16 relay teams will qualify, Coach Alex Gort feels that Miners will go faster as the season progresses. “The team has higher expectations than just qualifying that relay. When medals are being awarded, they want to be on the podium receiving them,” he said.
The Miners will host The Gregory School and Immaculate Heart High School in a triangular Meet on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 4 p.m.
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