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Jayden Smith. Photo by Apuron Photography
On Tuesday, Sept. 12, Miner swimmers swam against Desert Christian High School at the Hacienda Pool in Tucson. The Miner Girls team won 100-42, while the Miner Boys were outscored 49-61.
The Girls won 7 of the 11 events. Senior Raya Woods won the 200 Freestyle, Junior Gianna Sweeney won the 50 Freestyle, Junior Bonnie Bridge won the 500 Freestyle, and Junior Darien Apuron won two events (200 IM and 100 Butterfly). The Medley Relay Team of Apuron, Junior Star Chavez, Sweeney, and Woods continued their winning ways, winning that relay for the 3rd time in 3 meets. The winning 200 Freestyle Relay team consisted of Junior Jasmine Smith, Sophomore BaiLee Hill, Freshman Aubrey Bridge, and Freshman Alyssa Riekofski.
Evan Apuron. Photo by Apuron Photography
The Boys swam well at the meet, winning 5 races but were unable to win a relay and that was the difference. Junior Michael Primero-Predgo looked very sharp in the sprints, winning both the 50 Freestyle and 100 Freestyle in personal best times. Freshman Evan Apuron won the 200 Freestyle and 100 Breaststroke while swimming with waterproof cast on his left arm. Freshman Jayden Smith won the 200 IM with a personal best time. Jayden was named Dynamite Swimmer of the meet for his performance at the meet.
On Thursday, Sept. 14, the Miners competed in Florence against Arete Preparatory Academy and Florence High School in a Triangular Meet. The Miner Girls team won the meet with the scores being San Manuel 73, Arete Prep 48, and Florence 40 points. The Miner Boys finished in 3rd place, the scores being Arete Prep 63, Florence 57, and San Manuel 34.
Darian Apuron. Photo by Apuron Photography
Both Florence and Arete Prep had swimmers who swam in the State Championship Meet in 2016, but so did the Miners. The competition level was high and there were several hotly contested races.
The Girls won 5 races at the meet. Gianna Sweeney looked great winning the 50 Freestyle and 100 Breaststroke in the fastest times she has gone this season. Star Chavez won the 100 Freestyle. Darien Apuron set a school record in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 1:07.40, a time that was a fraction of the second faster than the previous record which Apuron held. For her record breaking swim, Apuron was named Dynamite Swimmer of the meet. The 400 Freestyle Relay team of Woods, Apuron, Chavez, and Sweeney capped off the meet with a win.
Gianna Sweeney. Photo by Apuron Photography
The Boys won two races at the meet. Michael Primero-Predgo won the 200 Freestyle with a great finishing sprint. Evan Apuron turned in a great swim, winning the 100 Butterfly with a time of 58.55 while swimming with the cast on his left arm.
Coaches were pleased with the performance at both meets.
“Our swimmers look good and are ready for the upcoming invitational swim meets,” coach Alex Gort said. The invitational meets are a good measure against many other teams around Arizona and also serve as qualifying meets for the 2017 State Championship Meet, he added.
The Girls team record moved to 4-1 after the week and the Boys team is 1-4.
Miner swimmers will attend the Hawks Swim Invitational hosted by The Gregory School at the Amphitheater High School Pool on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m.
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