After being named National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) champions back in July over perennial powerhouse Carmel High School (Indiana), the reigning division one state champs Chaparral Firebird girls swim team is off to a hot start in the water this season.
They have won its past three dual meets by 22 points or more. The most recent two have been won by 50 points or more. The Firebirds also won its first invitational of the season at the Brophy Invite Sept. 20-21 by sweeping all three relays and winning four individual events. 
Head coach Richard Krzyzanowski isn’t getting comfortable yet though. Not even close.
“The first relay of the season we got smacked around pretty good. That will not happen ever again,” coach Krzyzanowski said. 
Even though the Firebirds won that meet 104-82 over Xavier Prep, Krzyzanowski is more stressed about performance and best efforts from his team, saying that “they know when they don’t [give their best effort] and I know when that occurs.”
He wasn’t too thrilled with the performance given in their first meet against Xavier Prep but part of the problem was that three girls were missing, all on recruiting trips to different colleges or universities. The Firebirds are packed with 12 juniors on the team. 
A good problem to have, nonetheless, but Krzyzanowski says that he won’t have his “normal set of people” for relays “until mid-October.” 
One of those swimmers who will be taking recruiting trips this fall is junior standout Ashley Strouse, who was recently selected to the US Women’s National Junior Team for the 2019-2020 season for the 200 free. 
“Being selected has been something I have been working toward for years and to be able to see my name on the roster is an incredible feeling,” Strouse said. “I loved being able to represent the country in Budapest, but to be able to be a part of a team that represents everywhere they can is an entirely new feeling.” 
Strouse returns to the pool for the Firebirds after winning the 200 free and 500 free at the division one state championships last fall and setting a new state record in the 200 free with a time of 1:45.44. She was also part of the state champion 200 and 400 free relays. 
Being a reigning state champ in all four of her events, expectations are high for the 2018 Arizona Republic Female Swimmer of the Year. With expectations, naturally, comes pressure but Strouse isn’t worried. 
“From a pressure side of things, I am the only one that knows what I do every day to train for these events. I am confident in my training and what I am doing in and out of the pool.” Strouse said. “If you believe you can mentally, then there is no limit to what you can do physically and I am prepared to bring everything I have to state this year.” 
Fellow junior standout Greer Pattison was also a state champ in her own right last season taking the title in the 50 free and 100 back as well as being on the 200 and 400 free relays with Strouse. 
Pattison says she does feel “a little bit” of pressure to repeat as state champ in her events but knows that her teammates will always have her back.
“I always feel pressure because I never want to let down my teammates or myself and then also my coaches, but I know I have my teammates to support me,” she said. 
For this team, however, their goals go far beyond expectations and pressure.
Krzyzanowski says that a goal for this team is to take first in the nation among all schools, public or private. He noted that they only took first among public schools and just barely took third to two private schools. 
Another is to bring home another state championship. With a young team and coaches Richard and Russ Krzyzanowski at the helm, there seems to be no limit to what this team can accomplish. 
“Everyone loves Richie and [assistant coach] Russ Krzyzanowski. The core aspect of our team is Richie and Russ,” senior captain Chole Zapata said. “The juniors now, they’re just powerhouses. They're insane. Nothing like we’ve ever had before so it’s been amazing to be with them.” 
The Firebirds next dive into the pool Sept. 26 at Cactus Pool in Scottsdale to face the Mountain View, Mesa Toros. 
“This team is unstoppable and there is nothing we can’t do together,” Strouse said. “We are well on our way to winning another national title on the women’s side. We are all in."