Xavier College Prep swim coaches Jennifer James and Mark Rankin saw an incredible amount of determination from their team last season following the passing of Coach Mo Rankin.

The team rallied and eventually made it to the state championship and defeated Chandler High, 321-263, and claimed two of three relay victories.

James said the team won for its former coach.

“They knew they wanted to compete for Mo,” James said. “They shined every meet. We were beating teams we hadn’t beaten in a long time.”

James believes Mo’s spirit was with the team during their championship win.

“Mark and I both looked up and saw white doves flying above the pool. It definitely brought some tears to my eyes knowing Mo was there watching,” James said.

“When we won there were so many tears. Tears of excitement and joy and sadness and everything combined,” James said.

Sophomore Olivia Paliscak said Mark Rankin, a long-time swimmer and coach himself, had a huge impact on the swimmers in his brief stint as coach last season.

“It was really hard for a lot of us to adapt. Mo was the best coach Xavier ever had and it’s so nice having Mark here. He’s so understanding,” Paliscak said.

James said having Mark on the pool deck kept Mo’s spirit with the team.

“It keeps us more attached to her,” James said. “Last year we called him ‘Mo-Man’ because it was like having her on deck.”

“He is such a part of Mo and a great coach,” James said. “We knew this transition would be smooth by keeping it in the family.”

Mark said he took the job to keep Mo’s legacy alive and help the team continue to be successful.

“Mo and I trained together most of our lives,” Mark said. “We have the same coaching philosophies and the transition has been very smooth.”

Mark coached the team for the last month of the season and through the state championship, and has his sights on a repeat.

“They’re very excited for this year,” Mark said. “We have a big challenge, but the girls are ready for it.”

James, who has coached at Xavier for 19 years, said her team faces new challenges this season but is prepared for what lies ahead.

“We knew Chaparral would be coming into our league, and they’re very tough,” James said. “We will have to bring it all and the girls are stepping up and we’re ready to give them a run for their money.”

“Last season was challenging for the girls. We finished really strong in memory of our beloved Coach Mo. They’re still swimming strong in her memory and what she wanted them to do.”

The Gators are 2-1 this season and placed second at the 30th annual Brophy-Xavier invitational in the team's latest meet.