EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect that Kyler Tolson is a member of Gilbert Christian.

PARADISE VALLEY — In a wild race to the finish, Gilbert Classical boys swimming claimed the first championship in program history this past weekend, making for a fun celebration amongst the teammates, coaches and their supporters.

“Coming off our best finish in program history last season, we knew we were in a good spot,” coach Jordan Brough said, adding that the title didn’t come without a little adversity this season.

“Over the summer one of our top swimmers transferred to another school, then our top returning diver, who finished fifth last season, quite a couple of weeks into the season,” Brough said. “While my guys could have let those losses negatively impact their attitudes and work, they took the opposite route and let it fuel them.”

The Spartans surely did, edging Phoenix Country Day School for the title, scoring 334 points Nov. 9, just 16 ahead of an Eagles club that was seeking their program’s fifth title (2016, 2018, 2020, 2021).

“This is the first state championship in our school’s history in any sport, so being able to claim that is pretty awesome,” Brough said.

With enrollment at the school usually shy of 400, Gilbert Classical still typically has one of the more popular swim programs in the state with nearly 40 boys coming out this fall.

Notre Dame Prep came in third with 296 team points, Paradise Honors was fourth with 294 and wrapping up the Top 5 was Trivium Prep with 184.

Standouts for Gilbert Classical included the 200-yard medley relay team, which took fourth overall with a 1:42.74 time with Terry Li, Aidan Feirstein, Charley Baleme and Zadok Hutchins making the swim.

Marshall Gabriel was fourth in the 1-meter diving event with a 358.70 score, while Feirstein and Hutchins were seventh (55.43) and eighth (56.38) in the 100-yard butterfly, respectively.

In the 200-yard freestyle relay, Gilbert Classical took third overall with a 1:32.40 time as Hutchins, Hall, Li and Max Fioresi made the swim. In the 400, Hall, Fioresi, Feirstein and Baleme competed to take third overall with a 3:28.04 time.

Li also took fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke with a 59.98 time.

“Our seniors set the tone for us at state this year,” Brough said of Li, Hall and Feirstein, adding that he was extremely grateful for all other Division III programs and how they competed.

“When I was growing up there were only two divisions for swimming and most schools our size didn’t bother fielding swimming and diving teams as there was no real way to compete,” Brough said. “By creating a third division it has given thousands of kids over the last few years an opportunity to learn and compete in this great sport, which is a skill they’ll be able to use for the rest of their lives.”

The Phoenix Country Day School girls swim team claimed the Division III State Swimming Championships on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Paradise Valley. (PCDS/Courtesy)PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY GIRLS CHAMPS

Claiming their second title in program history, Phoenix Country Day School girls swimming held the state championship trophy for the first time since 2021 on Saturday.

“We simply try to create an environment where the kids believe they can compete and have a chance,” Phoenix Country Day coach Michael Maczuga said about his team taking first overall at the Division III Girls Swimming State Championships.

The Eagles claimed victory with 398 points, besting Notre Dame Prep’s 362. Chandler Prep came in third with 296.5 team points, while Pusch Ridge took fourth with 231 and ALA-Gilbert North wrapped up the Top 5 with 200 points even.

Lelia Symington claimed gold in the 200-yard freestyle event with a 1:52.69 time, and set a school record in the 500-yard freestyle with a 4:57.68 mark, potentially qualifying for a high school All-American position with her time.

Symington will swim next year for UC-Santa Barbara.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Phoenix Country Day took first overall with a 3:39.50 time as Olivia Singer, Julia Lotz, Nancy Burns and Symington competed.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.