Eagles, Cougars emerge in Sunrise Region swimming

Boulder City's boys swim team captured the Sunrise Region title five years ago and has been trying to return to prominence since.

The Eagles accomplished their mission Saturday by winning the Sunrise championship with 420 points. Green Valley came in second (381) and Coronado third (309).

Coronado won the girls title with 4981/2 points. Green Valley took second (4351/2) and Foothill third (279).

"I'm so proud of those guys," Boulder City coach Sara Carroll said. "I'm grateful that my guys all stepped up as a team and exceeded everyone's expectations."

Boulder City junior Zane Grothe, who claimed the Sunrise Boys Swimmer of the Year award, placed first in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 50.58 seconds and the 500 freestyle (4:30.86). Both times gave him automatic All-America status. Grothe also set the Sunrise record in the 100 butterfly preliminaries (49.92) Thursday.

"With the 100-yard fly, I was just going all-out to win it, and with the 500 yard free, I knew it was going to be tough racing against Green Valley's Robert Hommel," Grothe said. "I was watching him the whole race, and it was close as we were neck and neck."

Hommel won the 200 individual medley in 1:54.45.

Tech's Johnny Funk also had a strong meet, winning the 100 backstroke (52.84) and placing second in the 100 butterfly (51.88). Green Valley's William Meek won the 100 (49.02) and 200 freestyles (1:46.72).

Coronado's Alixan Mertel, who won the Sunrise Girls Swimmer of the Year award, placed first in the 100 backstroke with a Sunrise Region-record time of 57.87 seconds. She was second in the 200 individual medley (2:07.93). Her 100 backstroke time was fast enough to give her All-America consideration status.

"I definitely felt I was a front-runner coming in," Mertel said. "I was way excited to get the consideration time and in setting the regional record. I think with this next week of rest, I think I can give it a go for the state title."

Coronado's Tatum Gormley helped with wins in the 100 butterfly (59.65) and 100 breaststroke (1:09.06).

"The girls have done so well this year," Cougars coach Brenda Tomtan-Braymen said. "They work well together as a team, and we're excited for next week."

Green Valley's Addie Oswald won the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:07.46 and the 100 freestyle (53.33). Allie Dodds won the 200 freestyle (1:53.31) and the 500 freestyle (5:06.53) for the Gators.