The Brophy swim team is taking aim at its 25th consecutive state championship this year, and if the etching hasn’t already begun, it should soon enough.
The Broncos are loaded again, and the same can be said for Xavier on the girls side. The Gators cruised to the state title in 2011 as well and have won 13 straight championships.
However, there are still several intriguing storylines and individual swimmers to watch this season. Here is a look at the expected highlights to come for the 2012 swim and dive season:
Swimmers to watch
Chloe Hacker, Jr., Corona del Sol: In her first two seasons, Hacker has already picked up a pair of state diving titles. Her own points total may be her best motivation as she aims for another championship this year.
Clara Jenck, Sr., Mountain Pointe: Jenck captured the 100-meter backstroke state title last season by more than a second.
Seth Maddy, Sr., Mesquite: One of the premier sprinters in the East Valley, Maddy will aim for a state title in the 100-meter freestyle after near-misses the past two years.
Alex Schultz, Sr., Gilbert: Won the 100-meter backstroke last year finished with the best preliminary time in the 100 fly. Looking for a pair of titles this year.
Kat Simonovic, Sr., Mountain View: The 2011 Tribune Female Swimmer of the Year has won the 200-meter freestyle in her first three years of high school and also won the 100 a year ago. What will she do for her swansong?
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Other swimmers to watch
Girls: Mary Guevaras, Sr., Desert Vista; Samantha Getzen, Jr., Notre Dame; Madeline Wells, Sr., Xavier; Samantha Guttmacher, Sr., Red Mountain; Victoria Toris, So., Pinnacle; Lexy Aichson, So., Chaparral; Sarah Takach, So., Horizon; Briana Jurries, Sr., Valley Christian; Christina Valenzuela, Jr., Xavier; Kyra Tatlow, Jr., Westwood; Meredith Klosterman, Jr., Notre Dame.
Boys: Gabriel Espinosa, Sr., Brophy; Lukas Williams, Sr., Brophy; Jack Poupore, Sr., Notre Dame; Ben Fitch, Sr., Mountain Pointe; Kyle Ewoldt, So., Highland; Joseph Starkweather, Jr., Notre Dame; Eli McMullen, Sr., Desert Mountain; Sheldon Solomon, Sr., Queen Creek; Bradley Dorsey, Jr., Brophy; Tucker Wells, Sr., Brophy; Edgar Febres, Sr., Mountain View; T.J. Decker, Sr., Brophy.
Teams to Watch
Xavier: The Gators have won the past 13 big-school state championships, and with Madeline Wells and Christina Valenzuela leading the way, they are expected to dominate again.
Brophy: The Broncos have been even more dominant as they aim for their 25th consecutive state championship in 2012. With Lukas Williams and Gabriel Espinosa leading the way in both individual events and on the relays, it shouldn’t be too tough.
Pinnacle girls: The race is probably going to be for second place behind Xavier, which would be a solid accomplishment for Victoria Toris and the Pioneers.
Arcadia girls: Titans looking to repeat as state champions in Division II, but must do it without star Carly Stevens, a four-time state champion who graduated.
Mountain View boys and girls: Kat Simonovic leads the Toros girls, who finished third a year ago. The boys finished in second place a year ago to Brophy and would like a repeat of that performance.
Key Dates
Sept. 15: Wolves Classic Invitational at Chandler High Aquatic Center
Sept. 28-29: Brophy/Xavier Swim Invitational at Brophy Sports Complex
Oct. 19-20: State Diving Qualifier at Phoenix Country Day
Nov. 2-3: State championships at Skyline Aquatic center
Reach Kyle Odegard at (480) 898-6834 or kodegard@evtrib.com. Follow his blog at http://blogs.evtrib.com/varsityxtra, or find him on Twitter @Kyle_Odegard.Â
what did you say posted at 10:24 am on Sun, Oct 7, 2012.
Mr. Odegard,
You state that "Madeline Wells and Christina Valenzuela" are the Xavier swimmers to watch. Christina Valenzuela does not swim on the Xavier swim team. I have seen her name mentioned in two of your articles. Please get your facts straight!