Yuma-area swimmers and divers make a splash at AIA state championships

MESA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Swimmers and divers from across the Yuma area were well represented at the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) State Championships this weekend, with several athletes earning top finishes and making their mark against some of the state's best competition.

The Kofa Kings led the local boys' results in the Division II 200-yard medley relay, finishing fourth overall with a time of 1:44.03. The Yuma Criminals also qualified two relay teams for state, including the boys' 200 medley relay, which placed 27th in Division III with a time of 1:59.58.

Yuma head coach Rebecca Treas said qualifying two relay teams for the state meet was a significant accomplishment for the program, providing valuable experience for its younger swimmers as they look to build on that success next season.

Yuma Catholic also had a strong showing, highlighted by the girls' team finishing eighth overall in team points. The Shamrocks' girls' 200-yard freestyle relay captured first place with a time of 1:43.94.

Ryan Webb added two individual runner-up finishes, taking second in both the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 23.89 seconds and the 100-yard butterfly in 57.52 seconds.

Cibola also had several athletes competing at the Division I level. The girls' 200-yard medley relay team of Lily Nguyen, Eleanor and Madeline Hauck, and Bailey Dusek finished 10th with a time of 1:55.90.

Eleanor Hauck placed eighth in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:12.82 and 10th in the 100-yard butterfly at 1:00.45. Nguyen finished 11th in the 100-yard backstroke, recording the fastest time in the consolation final, also known as the B final, with a time of 1:01.19.

Raiders head coach Mark Dusek expressed pride in his athletes competing in the highly competitive Division I field, which featured several swimmers with plans to continue their careers at the Division I collegiate level.

Somerton also made history, as Isabella Valenzuela became the first Toros swimmer in school history to qualify for state as an individual. She competed in the 50-yard freestyle, finishing with a time of 28.77 seconds.

Cibola's diving program also made an impression, with Daniel Hernandez, Ian Mattson and Bert Michel all qualifying for state. It marked the first time in several years the Raiders had multiple divers qualify, with the trio recording scores of 62.25, 59.45 and 56.80, respectively.

Kofa also brought a large contingent to the Division II State Championships on November 6–7, with 16 athletes competing across the boys' and girls' teams.

The girls' team saw Veronica Packham, Isadora Ortiz, Samantha Turner and Jacqui Gallegos Smith compete in both the 200-yard medley relay, finishing 20th, and the 200-yard freestyle relay, placing 18th.

Packham also finished 22nd in the 50-yard freestyle, while Gallegos Smith placed 37th in the 100-yard breaststroke. Kofa's all-senior 400-yard freestyle relay team of Sofia Rocha, Sofia Flores, Gisele Alvarez and Gallegos Smith finished 23rd.

On the boys' side, Kofa had several more strong individual performances. Freshman Reggie Edwards finished fifth in the 100-yard backstroke, while fellow freshman Avery Layton earned a fourth-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly, giving the Kings another podium result. Maverick Wildenhain placed 20th in the 200-yard individual medley, while Will Rouff and freshman Isaac Lee also competed in multiple individual events.

The boys' 400-yard freestyle relay team of Isaac Lee, Nate Hudson, Jonathan Robinson and Ullises Alvarez finished 20th.

Overall, it was a strong showing for Yuma-area swimming and diving, with athletes representing their schools and community on the state's biggest stage.