D-I state Swim/Dive meet preview

October 30, 2018 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Matt Milovanovic (left) and Parker Hughes are two cogs in Brophy's quest for a 31st swimming title in succession. (Photo courtesy of Kathy Mabry)

Is there a bonafide contender to take on Brophy Prep in the Division I boys state Swim and Dive Meet on Nov. 2-3 at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa? Chaparral is going to give it a whirl. History says it's futile.

Brophy has won the last 30 consecutive big-school state meets, last failing to win the title in 1987. Chaparral, which has dominated D-II of late, has moved up again this year to D-I. So with the champs of the last two seasons in those respective divisions its a given one goes home without a title ending the other's title streak. Brophy is likely to extend its streak with its superior depth. The last time Brophy was challenged for the crown was in 2013 when it bested runner-up Chaparral by 35 points. As one would expect Brophy and Chaparral have plenty of firepower to make a bid for supremacy. 

In the girls meet, Chaparral is the team to beat and it's likely noone comes close. Chaparral's girls have breezed to team titles the last two years in D-II and currently have won four titles in a row. The Firebirds won thje D-I title in 2014 and 2015. This decade girls competition has been a battle mostly among three schools - Chaparral, Desert Vista and Xavier-  all have won at least two titles this decade. Chandler has been in the top three several times, runner-up each of the last two years to Xavier and Desert Vista. Chaparral has a chance to win all the individual events and could sweep the relays. The Firebirds won last year with a host of freshmen and sophomore reaching the medal stand.

Some of the top athletes competing this weekend and their recent success in state meet competition in the notes section:

D-I BOYS

Matt Leblanc, Chaparral, Jr.; Matt Milovanovic, Brophy, Jr.; Daniel Simmons, Chaparral, Jr.; Parker Hughes, Brophy, Sr.; Dylan Melin, Pinnacle So.; Ellis Bohon, Chaparral, Jr.; Chris Allen, Mesa Mtn. View, Sr.; Dane Nelson, Brophy, So.; Aaron Rosen, Pinnacle, So; Max Weed, Shadow Ridge, Sr.; Essias Smith, Desert Ridge, So., Lucas Kelly, Chandler, Jr.; Jon Carlo LoVullo, Boulder Creek, Jr.; Zach Lundgren, Basha, Jr. (Dive); Daniel Knapp, Skyline, Fr. (Dive).

NOTES: Leblanc won 200 IM last year, 100 breast each of the last two years, a leg of winning 200 medley relay last year and 400 relay in 2016 in D-II. Milovanovic swam a leg of winning 200 medley relay in D-I.  Simmons was 2nd in the 100 fly last year and part of winning 400 relay in 2016 in D-II. Melin finished 3rd last year in the 200 free. Weed finished 2nd in the 200 free and 500 free last year in D-II. Hughes was part of winning 200 free relay and 400 free relay teams the last two years in D-I. Rosen finished 2nd in 100 breast last season. Lundgren finished 2nd in diving in D-I last year. Nelson finished 3rd in the 50 free last season.

D-I GIRLS

Ashley Strouse, Chaparral, So.; Riley Courtney, Chaparral, So.; Kali Fama, Perry, Jr.; Destiny Kling, Chandler, Sr.; Kyla Yetter, Highland, Sr.; Mia Rankin, Xavier, So.; Greer Pattison, Chaparral, So.; Sydney Chun, Chandler, Jr.; Mia Waters, Chaparral, Jr.; (Dive); Victoria Knapp, Skyline; Sr. (Dive); Natalie Crisci, Westwood, Sr.; Samantha Krew, Chaparral, So.; Chloe Zapata, Chaparral, Jr.

NOTES: Strouse was part of two winning relay teams (200 free and 400 free) and won the 200 free and 500 free last year in D-II. Courtney won the 100 the last two years in D-I. Kling finished 1st in the 500 free 3rd in the 200 free and part of the winning 400 400 free relay in D-I. Yetter finished 1st in the 100 free each of the last two years and was 2nd in the 200 free last year in D-I. Pattison won the 100 back, took 2nd in the 50 free and was part of two winning relays (200 medley and 400 free) last year in D-II. Rankin was 2nd in the 500 free and 3rd in the 200 IM last year in D-I. Chun took 2nd in the 200 IM and part of the winning 400 free relay last year in D-I. Knapp is a three-time defending champ in diving, two years in D-I and one year in D-II. Waters won diving last year in D-II.