The Phoenix Country Day boys won the Division III 2018 state championship and the Sabino girls won their third straight title but expect Phoenix Country Day to battle for the girl’s title this year and Veritas Prep to fight for the boy’s championship.

Returning state champions include Saguaro Jr. Denton Smith (200 Free), Arete Prep Sr. Amanda Zajdzinski (200 Free, 500 Free), Veritas Prep Jr. Devin Esser (200 IM, 500 Free), Veritas Prep So. Jacob Marbach (50 Free), San Manuel Jr. Evan Apuron (100 Fly), Seton Catholic Sr. James Karam (100 Free) and Phoenix Country Day Sr. Quinn Murphy (100 Back).

Former Sabino standout Skylar Dikeman helped the Sabercats win several races including the 50 Free but Dikeman is now a senior for Catalina Foothills. Former Gregory School champion Avery Spade (100 Fly) is now a sophomore at Catalina Foothills.

Zajdzinski is expected to win the 200 and 500 Free again this year and her best time is 1:52.44. Phoenix Country Day So. Charlize Szeto is leading the 200 IM field and Murphy has the best time in the 50 Free, the 100 Free, the 100 Back

Scottsdale Christian Sr. Caylah Jago is tops in the 100 Fly and Mingus Sr. Emma Warner has the best time in the 100 Breast. Phoenix Country Day Sr. Samantha Stein leads in diving. Phoenix Country Day and Scottsdale Prep are battling back and forth in the girl’s relays.

On the boy’s side, Esser has the best time in the 200 and 500 Free, Benjamin Franklin So. Maxwell Kleinman leads in the 200 IM, the 50 Free, the 100 Fly, the 100 Free and the 100 Breast. Veritas Prep Jr. Michael Shiaras leads in the (100 Back). Saguaro SO. Henry Bentson leads in diving and Veritas Prep leads in all the boy’s relays.