Strong 2nd-place state finish for swim-dive

Xavier Prep’s swimmers and divers were outdistanced by Scottsdale Chaparral in the 2018 Division I state championship, and when the two headlined the 2019 meet on Thursday (Nov. 7) and Friday (Nov. 8), the result was virtually the same.

Xavier did make a bit of headway this time at the Kino Aquatic Complex in Mesa. In 2018, there was a differential of 176 ½ points between the Gators and Chaparral, and this time, the gap was 160.

Across the board, Chaparral’s quality and depth was just too much.

Highlights for Xavier were the championship swim by senior Maddie Wright in the 100-yard freestyle (51:09) to defeat Gilbert Perry’s Kelly Fama (51.81), and the three relay teams (200-yard medley, 200-yard freestyle and 400-yard freestyle) that finished second to Chaparral.

Wright also finished third in the individual 200 free. Junior Mia Rankin was second in the 200-yard individual medley and third in the 500-yard freestyle, junior Jordan Herrera was seventh in the 200 IM and sixth in the 100-yard butterfly, junior Kelly Scott was seventh in the 50-yard freestyle and fourth in the 100 free, sophomore Gracie Munk was third in the 100-yard backstroke and third in the 100 fly, junior Paola Guerra was fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke.

In 1-meter diving, senior Maddy Sewell capped an outstanding Xavier career by advancing to the final for the fourth straight time and finishing 11^th out of 16 in the final.


Xavier state results

200-yard medley relay – 2^nd, 1:44.95.

200-yard freestyle – Maddie Wright, 3^rd, 1:49.68; Vica Dow, 11^th, 1:57.70; Daisy Maldonado, 16^th, 2:00.01.

200-yard individual medley – Mia Rankin, 2^nd, 2:04.17; Jordan Herrera, 7^th, 2:09.94; Hope Nolan, 11^th, 2:11.85.

50-yard freestyle – Kelly Scott, 7^th, 24.58; Olivia Paliscak, 10^th, 24.63; Paola Guerra, 14^th, 24.91.

100-yard butterfly – Gracie Munk, 3^rd, 57.43; Jordan Herrera, 6^th, 58.22; Olivia Paliscak, 11^th, 58.40; Haley Hubbard, 14^th, 59.53.

100-yard freestyle – MADDIE WRIGHT, 1^ST, 51.09; Kelly Scott, 4^th, 52.96.

500-yard freestyle – Mia Rankin, 3^rd, 5:01.43.

200-yard freestyle relay – 2^nd, 1:37.03.

100-yard backstroke – Gracie Munk, 3^rd, 56.96; Vica Dow, 10^th, 58.59.

100-yard breaststroke – Paola Guerra, 4^th, 1:05.39; Hope Nolan, 12^th, 1:08.39.

400-yard freestyle relay – 2^nd, 3:31.71.

1-meter diving – Maddy Sewell, 11^th, 378.95 points.

Team scores

Scottsdale Chaparral 480, XAVIER PREP 320, Mesa Mountain View 209, Mesa Red Mountain 163, Phoenix Desert Vista 161, Gilbert Perry 138, Chandler High 115, Gilbert Highland 105, Phoenix Pinnacle 104, Mesa Desert Ridge 104, Peoria Liberty 74, Chandler Hamilton 52, Tucson High 51, Tempe Corona del Sol 44, Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor 38, Glendale Mountain Ridge 34, Chandler Basha 29, Yuma Cibola 27, Anthem Boulder Creek 25, Surprise Valley Vista 22, Mesa Skyline 14, Queen Creek 13.