D-II swim/dive: Notre Dame Prep in position to control
November 5, 2015 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365
Division II's state swim and dive meet will feature a different look Friday and Saturday, one likely to produce a first-time team champion.
Realignment shifted last year's D-II team champs -- Catalina Foothills (boys) and Campo Verde (girls) -- to D-I. That's opened the door for Notre Dame Prep to entertain thoughts of twin team titles.
The most likely heir to the D-II boys throne is last year's runner-up -- Notre Dame. Notre Dame was a distant runner-up to Catalina Foothills in 2014, but its margin over the next three teams was nearly 60 points. Notre Dame won two relays and has two swimmers surely to be medal clad come Saturday.
Senior Braxton Bilbrey garnered second at last year's meet in the 100 breast and was third in the 50 free. Bilbrey helped the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay to titles. Notre Dame has a standout two classes behind Bilbrey -- sophomore Ansel Averitte. Averitte was sixth in the 50 free last year and also took part in the championship relay teams. Bilbrey and Averitte are ranked in the top three of qualifying times in their events for 2015.
Other individuals to focus on compete for Phoenix Country Day, Gilbert Classical, Northland Prep and Bourgade Catholic. Gilbert Classical features senior sprinter Austin Baker -- D-II champ in 2014 in the 50 and 100 free. Baker could get competition from Phoenix Country Day's Jacob Bain, a top-eight finisher last year who has drastically improved his times. Northland Prep's Mike Heinonen took third last year in the 500 free and Bourgade's Zabric Kline, Prescott's Jaxton Peterson are top contenders in the 100 fly.
Notre Dame's girls have are deep in what may be the tighter team-title chase of the two genders along with Verrado and Sabino. Notre Dame is led by junior Caroline Strolic, a third-place finisher in the 100 breast and 200 IM each of the last two years. Sophomore Alexa Markl took third last year in the 100 back and 200 free. Freshman Isabella Fratesi has the ability to garner top-three finishes in the two individual events she competes in and two relays.
Verrado, the newest school among the contenders that could give Notre Dame a run, is led by junior Sieara Kling (third in the 100 fly and 4th in 100 back last year). Verrado is lkely to get points from feshman Destiny Kling (200 free and 500 free), junior Olivia Bender, junior Shelby Lax and sophomore Victoria Warrum. Verrado took third in in the 200 free relay and second in the 200 medley relay last year.
Sabino possesses perhaps the top female swimmer in D-II and one of the best in the state, Taylor Nations. Nations was D-II state champ in 2014 in the 100 free and 100 back and also won the 100 back in 2013. She recenty made a verbal commitment to the University of Arizona.
Other girls to watch are Seton Catholic's Taylor Steele (100 fly, 200 free); Sunrise Mountain's Nicole Matheson (200 IM and 500 free) Green Fields Olivia McNally (50 free) and Veritas' Katie Higgins (100 fly) and Eboni McCray, Agua Fria (50 free).
