Brandon Nellis swam the 50 freestyle in 22.27 seconds to help Coronado’s swim team to a 176-136 winover Foothill at Heritage on Saturday.
Nikita Nazarov won two events on Saturday to lead Sierra Vista’s boys swimming team to a 133-101 win over Cheyenne at Pavilion.
The Gators hope to continue to be one of the top teams in the state.
Here is a recap of every team that won a state title during the 2017 spring sports season and will be looking to defend this upcoming season.
A look at the Review-Journal’s Athletes of the Year from the spring season
Follow the link for postseason boys and girls swimming and diving honors, as selected by coaches. All-region teams will be posted as they are received.
Palo Verde’s girls swimming and diving team won its third consecutive 4A state championship Saturday at the Carson Aquatic Facility, while the boys team won its fifth consecutive title with not nearly as much drama or challenge.
The Cougars led the way on the scoreboard in both the boys’ and girls’ meets to clinch a pair of Sunrise Regional titles at UNLV.
Legacy’s boys swimming team won all three relays, and Tristan Arruti won a pair of individual events en route to a 153-75 victory over Cheyenne at Municipal on Saturday.
Keaton Ogden and Dylan Wilson finished 1-2 in the 200-yard freestyle Saturday to help the Virgin Valley boys swimming team slip past Chaparral at Multi-Generational, 112-111.
State championships: 1996
State runner-up finishes: 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 1998
Individual state champions: Michael Velazquez (2015, 200 IM and 100 breaststroke); Michael Velazquez (2014, 200 IM and 100 breaststroke); Michael Velazquez (2013, 200 IM and 100 breaststroke); Thomas Meek (2012, 50 freestyle); Robert Hommel (2011, 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle); Robert Hommel (2009, 200 IM and 500 freestyle); Ryan Chatwin (2006, 1 mtr diving); Jeff Ellingsen (100 backstroke); Jason Reed (1997, 100 butterfly)
Relay state champions: 2018 (200 medley) 2015 (200 freestyle); 2014 (200 freestyle and 400 freestyle); 2013 (200 medley and 200 freestyle) 1998 (200 medley)
Region championships: 2018, 2013, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005
Region runner-up finishes: 2017, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
2018 postseason: Finished second (83 points) at the Class 4A state meet, 43 points behind champion Palo Verde.
Won the Class 4A Sunrise Region meet (494 points), 11 points ahead of second-place Coronado.
Last 10 seasons
2018: Second in 4A state meet, Sunrise Region champion
2017: Sixth in 4A state meet, second in Sunrise Region meet
2016: Tied 15th in Division I state meet, third in Sunrise Region meet
2015: Second in Division I state meet, second in Sunrise Region meet
2014: Second in Division I state meet, second in Sunrise Region meet
2013: Second in Division I state meet, Sunrise Region champion
2012: Second in 4A state meet, second in Sunrise Region meet
2011: Fourth in 4A state meet, second in Sunrise Region meet
2010: Fourth in 4A state meet, Sunrise Region champion
2009: Fifth in 4A state meet, second in Sunrise Region meet