Janet Sauter
ASU Student Journalist

Marcos de Niza drops match against Westwood

October 5, 2018 by Janet Sauter, Arizona State University


Marcos de Niza swimmer competing against Westwood. (Photo: Janet Sauter/ AZPreps365)

Marcos de Niza Swim and Dive fell to Westwood, 269-89, at Carson Junior High School on Thursday.

The Padres' boys team finished with 54 points and the girls ended up 35 points.

One of the bright spots for the Padres was senior Jeffrey Maxwell. The second-year diver walked away with the No. 1 spot for the first time this year.

“I’ve just been getting second or third. There’s always just that one person that beats me by a little bit,” Maxwell said. “It’s really amazing to finally win one.”

Maxwell is the only person on the Marcos de Niza team that has qualified for the state tournament. He finished with a score of 205.20.

“Jeffrey has been able to become our first state qualifier since former Padre Sam Dorman went here,” head dive coach Aaron Tyler said.

The girls team came into this match at a disadvantage because they only had six girls swimming compared to Westwood, who had a full roster.

Head women’s coach Mick Wojciechowicz was proud of his girls’ performances, especially going against a bigger school like Westwood.

“The nice thing is we’ve been able to see a lot of improvement in their times from the beginning of the season until now,” Wojciechowicz said. “They’re learning a lot and getting better every week.”

With only one senior graduating, Wojiechowicz should have the core of his swimmers back next year.

“Our program is majority new swimmers,” head men’s coach Joe Sverev said. “They’re finding a passion for the sport so we’re at the good building stage for the years to come.”

With the rain earlier in the week and other school events going on, it kept some of the swimmers from practicing, which hurt the Padres’ race times on Thursday, Sverev said.

With seasons coming to a close in the next few weeks, the Padres will keep their sights set on making state next season and hopefully use this season as a good growing point for the team as a whole.

“They’re learning a lot and getting better each week,” Wojciechowicz said. “That’s all we can ask of them.”

Although the only first-place finish came from Maxwell, the Padres were able to finish second in some races. The men’s team took second in 200 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 100 fly, 100 free and 500 free. The women’s team members were able to place second in 200 medley relay, 200 free, 100 back, 100 breast and 100 fly.

The Padres’ next match will be 9:30 a.m. Oct. 17 at the McClintock pool.

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