Pinnacle swimmer Victoria Toris didn't dive head first into swimming.

The senior sprinter, who specializes in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle, dabbled in the sport up until the eighth grade. Never got serious up to that point. Once she did, well, the results speak for themselves.

"I've been swimming a long time, but up until seventh and eighth grade it was just recreational stuff," Toris said. "When I was in eighth grade I decided swimming  was something I wanted to spend more time on."

Toris wasn't a state champion individually or in relays her freshman year in 2011. She took third that year in the 100 free and 100 back. She anchored second-place finishes in the 200 free and 400 free relays. Since then it's been one gold medal after another. Double wins in 2012 and 2013 in the 50 and 100 free and double-winner again anchoring the 200 free and 400 free relays.

Her goal of course this year is a three-peat in all four events. And with a little luck and extra determination, she hopes to conquer state records in the 50 and 100 free.

"Right now I'm just tapering for state and working on the small stuff," Toris said. "I'd really like to break the records. That's my goal."

The 50 free state mark is 22.93 seconds set by Aleesha Miller of Mesa Mtn. View in 2006 and the 100 free record is held by Dobson's Traycie Swartz at 49.50 (2007).

Toris posted a 22.85 her sophomore year and has hit 49.50 in the 100 outside of state competition. What may be driving her more this season is helping Pinnacle get over the top in the team competition in Division I. In her three previous seasons Pinnacleh as finished second (2011), second (2012) and third (2013) in the team race.

She'll enter this year's meet with her decision on a college out of the way, which should add to her focus. Last month Toris opted to attend USC after her fourth and final visit. She also considered Arizona, UCLA and Tennessee.

"It was a tough choice, but I like the southern California area," Toris said. "USC fit the bill. I have family there. Weather isn't a problem. It's different, but not too different. It's away from home, but not too far away. They made me feel special."

Pinnacle has done well in big invitationals this year finishing first among 40 teams in the Wolves Classic in Chandler in September, taking second in October among a 32-team field field at the Brophy-Xavier Invitational and warming up for state winning the Paradise Valley district meet in late October.

Toris appreciates the way her time in swimming has worked out. Having participated in club competitively for only five years she doesn't feel the sport to be drudgery nor does she feel burn-out like some might be having done it for a decade.

"I enjoy swimming," Toris said. And I really want us to win team this year. I feel good and our relays are looking good. I think we have as good a chance as anyone to win it. This is my last state meet. No matter what happens I'm going to cherish it."