On Thurs. Sept. 20, 2012, Miner swimmers traveled to the Amphitheater High School Pool for a Swim Meet against Cholla, Walden Grove, Tanque Verde and Amphitheater High Schools. The meet would be a good test for Miners against four Tucson area teams.
The Miners Boys started the meet off by winning the Medley Relay. Senior Andy Monfred got the team off to an early lead in the Backstroke leg, then Senior Wayne Newman extend the lead in the Breaststroke leg, Junior John Bribiescas (Butterfly) and Freshman Alec Newman (Freestyle) were able to hold the lead for the win.
The Girls Relay would be much closer. Junior Amara Apuron (Backstroke) and Junior Cierra Austin (Breaststroke) would keep the race close as Tanque Verde jumped out to an early lead, and then Junior Nicole Primero-Predgo turned the race around in the Butterfly leg coming from behind and putting the Miners ahead.
Freshman Cita Sweeney keep the lead in the final leg to give the Miners the relay win in a school record time of 2:11.44.
Head Coach Alex Gort remarked, “Winning the (Girls) medley relay was a key to winning the meet, every swimmer had personal best swim on each leg, and they broke the school record by over 8 seconds – when we really needed it!”
As is to be expected at a five-team meet, wins come at a premium. Wayne Newman was able to win the 200 Freestyle, but despite setting a new school record in the 100 Freestyle at 55.15, he finished second.
Cierra Austin won the 50 Freestyle, and bettered the school record in the 100 Breaststroke by over 5 seconds (1:21.90) on the way to a second place finish. Andy Monfred continued to show his strength in the backstroke by winning won the 100 Backstroke.
Amara Apuron was in a class by herself as she won 500 Freestyle in school record time of 6:13.97 beating the nearest competitor by over a minute and a half. Nicole Primero-Prego was the only Miner to win two individual events; she won both the 100 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke.
As the meet came to down to the final event, the girls would have to win the 400 Freestyle Relay to win the meet. The team of Apuron, Primero-Predgo, Sweeney and Austin was again up to the task. The final score for the Girls was San Manuel 59, Tanque Verde 55, Walden Grove 33, Amphi 25, and Cholla 3. The final score for the Boys was San Manuel 50, Cholla 48, Walden Grove 38, Tanque Verde 31, and Amphi 26.
Coach Charlie Woodhouse was impressed and commented “With all the non-swimming activities our swim team members are involved in I am truly amazed at how well both the boys and girls teams pulled it together for this meet.
They contributed not only strong individual efforts, but put together those all-important relays that cemented the wins. This group is really coming together as a team. It’s great to see.”
The Miners will return to action at a home meet on Wed. Sept. 26 at 4:00 p.m. and will be attending the Canyon State Academy Invitational on Sat. Sept. 29.
To comment on this article and others visit the Copper Area News Facebook or send us an email at CBNSun@MinerSunBasin.com