MHS swim team opens season, school records set

The Maricopa High School swim team launched its season Thursday taking on Poston Butte and Apache Junction.

Though finishing third, the girls’ team scored 33 points more than last year. Olivia Byers won the 200 freestyle in 2:24.01 and the 50 free in 27.09. Katelyn Owens was second in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke.

The meet was at the Apache Junction Aquatic Center.

“Olivia Byers turned in a several really strong performances. Her leadership is invaluable,” coach Laura Logan said. “Freshman Katelyn Owen’s had her hands full in both her individual events, and she performed extremely well. Overall really impressed with our growth.”

The 400 free relay team of Kaitlyn Crean, Lexie Nordhoff, Shelby Eisanacher and Sophie Occhiline finished second.

Third-place finishes were the 200 medley relay team of Occhiline, Owens, Byers and Crean, the 200 free relay of Owens, Eva Zvala, Emily Fauth and Byers, and the 400 free relay team of Rylee Pirtle, Isabella Piwowar, Genevieve Pierce and Katelynn James.

Poston Butte won with 100 points, Apache Junction was second with 99 and MHS third with 73.

The MHS boys’ team placed second at the meet, led by sophomore Connor Schrader, who won the 200 individual medley in 2:09.25 and the 100 backstroke in 59.54.

“Connor Schrader broke two of his school records in 200 IM and 100 back,” Logan said. “He broke them both by 4-plus seconds, and that is a significant time drop for the first meet of the season.”

The Poston Butte boys scored 102 points overall while MHS had 91 and Apache Junction 86.

Rafe Scoresby placed second in the 200 freestyle for Maricopa. Placing third were Abel Rodriguez in the 100 butterfly, Andrew Varga in the 100 free, Scoresby in the 500 free, Joseph Lambert in the 100 breaststroke, the 200 medley relay team of Schrader, Lambert, Rodriguez and Kian Carroll, and the 200 free relay team of Varga, Carroll, Scoresby and Schrader.

“Rafe Scoresby, Victor Moreno, Abel Rodriguez and Jayden Call have shown tremendous growth from last season,” Logan said. “Freshman Andrew Varga turned in two very impressive swims. I look for him to be a great contributor by the end of the season.”

Logan said the Maricopa boys “have really narrowed the gap on Poston Butte and, with continued growth, should be a great dual meet between Poston and MHS in October.”

Poston Butte is scheduled to meet MHS Oct. 17 at Copper Sky.