Girls' Swimming - Arcadia
Arcadia has long had a hold on the Class 4A, Division II
state championship trophy. Since finishing as a runner-up in
2005, the Titans have won the title in three consecutive seasons,
the third coming on Nov. 1, and there's no sign the girls
plan on relinquishing that title soon. "We were a very young
team this year," coach Erica McClurg says. "With a young team
like that, you never really know how good you're going to be
until they actually get to state, but as the season went along
we sort of realized these girls were pretty good." Junior Carter
Graves, who won the 100 back and the 100 fly, is one of the
team's biggest role models. "She's probably the most enthusiastic
swimmer on the team,"McClurg says. "She gets so fired
up before her races." Freshman Carly Stevens, who won both
the 200 and 500 freestyle and swam on two title-winning
relays, is one of the young guns the team will count on in
future seasons. Fellow distance swimmers Melanie Gustafson,
Laura Gonzales and Nellie Fournier finished second, third and
fourth, respectively, in the 500 free. Gonzales and Fournier are
freshmen and Gustafson is a junior. Another swimmer, junior
MacKenzie Lee, is a 100 back and 200 IM specialist, and she's
one of several swimmers who have helped the program build
a new identity. "By the end of the season, these girls were so
tight-knit,"McClurg says. "It was interesting to watch how they
grew as a team. They're fired up for another year."
Boys' Swimming - Rincon
Two and a half points are all that separated the champion and runner-up at the Class 5A, Division II state championship
on Nov. 8. Rincon edged Horizon, 345.5 to 343, to claim the title thanks to the efforts of senior Jeff Amlee, who
won the 50 freestyle, and junior Jared Young, who earned the 500 free title. Junior Aaron Weintraub and seniors David
Berens and Alex Doumas were just some of the many swimmers who also contributed.
Girls' Volleyball - Sunnyslope
The top-seeded Vikings dropped only one game in the playoffs en route to the Class 4A, Division I state championship
crown on Nov. 17, with that one loss coming in the first game against No. 2-seeded Cactus. The team's dominance
was on display early and often, such as with a 25-4 game in a first-round win against Flowing Wells. There were
no seniors on this year's roster, but sophomores Madison Kingdon and Heidi Thompson helped to share the workload.
Boys' Cross Country - Desert Vista
By edging Alhambra and its 5A-I state champion Jorge Ramirez, Desert Vista was able to capture a state championship
in a two-point victory on Nov. 8. Junior Andrew Kellogg's third-place finish led the way for the Thunder, while
senior Adam Estavillo finished ninth. Senior Mike Johnson, junior Albert Kombe and senior Ramsey Carroll all finished
in the top 35 to seal the win as Desert Vista avenged its runner-up finish to Alhambra at last season's state meet.
BREAK OUT TEAMS
FOOTBALL – SANTA RITA
Junior Ian Garlets should help the 4A-II finalists reload next season.
GIRLS' CROSS COUNTRY – TUBA CITY
Led by sophomore Tatiyanah Johnson, the state runner-up Warriors will be in the hunt next year.
BOYS' GOLF – CATALINA FOOTHILLS
Always a contender for medalist honors, junior Billy Flower has the Falcons among next season's favorites.
GIRLS' GOLF – MARANA MOUNTAIN VIEW
Sophomore Kayleigh Kresse had the Mountain Lions just six shots off the pace at the 5A-II tourney.