Finishing out of the top 20 at state in 2010, the Mingus Union High School swimming team is looking forward to another shot at proving itself.
Second-year Mingus Head Coach Erin Estes said her swimmers know qualifying for state in 2011 is wide open, as the Arizona Interscholastic Association made it a little easier.
“Our swimmers know it’s wide open if you want to go to state this year. Individuals can qualify now too, giving many of our kids a big chance,” Estes said.
Over 30 student athletes came out for swimming this August, giving the Marauders a good mix of kids, experienced and young.
“We have a relatively young roster. The boys will have to work very hard this year with plenty of new swimmers. The girls have a well-seasoned group along with some younger kids as well,” Estes said.
Top returners for the boys include senior Colin Mount who is outstanding in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events. Junior Ryan Adams, who was named captain last week, is solid in the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard individual medley.
Sophomore Dylan Wilber, who made varsity as a freshman, returns in 2011 to improve in the 100-yard breaststroke and the 100-yard butterfly.
Newcomers for the Marauders boys include a pair of sophomores worth watching in Jared Cutshaw and Nicolas Adams.
Cutshaw is a distance swimmer, competing in the 500-yard freestyle event, while Adams is a 100-yard butterfly specialist.
For the girls, senior state qualifier Kyla Furey returns and will shift this year from the 200-yard individual medley to the 200-yard freestyle event, according to Estes.
Junior Lacy O’Connell returns to compete in the 100-yard freestyle event while sophomore Katheryn Knowles, a state qualifier in the 100-yard breaststroke in 2010, returns to compete in the breaststroke along with the 200-yard individual medley.
Top newcomers for the Mingus girls include three solid sophomores in Monica Soliz, Courtney Warner and Francesca Fettanni.
Soliz is a 100-yard backstroke performer while Warner is looking to improve in the 500-yard freestyle event and 200-yard individual medley.
As for Fettanni, she’s the top 500-yard freestyle swimmer Mingus has this season and she won’t be looking to give up that title anytime soon.
The Marauders open the 2011 season at Flagstaff High School on Friday, Sept. 2. Mingus will return home Thursday, Sept. 8, to host a three-way between the Marauders, Flagstaff and Sedona Red Rock High School.
First swim is set for 4 p.m.
