Palo pair aims for big finish

Alexis Mayhall and Kim Coombs have been fixtures for Palo Verde's girls swim team since they set foot on campus.

As they embark on their final postseason for the Panthers, the seniors are determined to add more lasting memories.

Mayhall and Coombs will try to lead Palo Verde to its fifth straight Sunset Region team title this week.

"I'm excited for the last one," Mayhall said of the postseason. "It's really hard to believe; it snuck up so quickly. It's kind of bittersweet in a way."

The Sunset boys and girls preliminaries begin today at Desert Breeze, along with the Sunrise boys and girls prelims at Heritage Park. All finals will be contested Saturday at UNLV.

Diving will be held Friday at UNLV.

Palo Verde coach Brent Gonzalez is confident in his team's chances, but he labeled Bishop Gorman and Cimarron-Memorial the favorites.

"It's going to be tough this year," he said. "Gorman is loaded with some very talented swimmers. We're not going to walk in and hand them it, but they've got a lot of talent out there."

Palo Verde is counting on points from Mayhall in the
100-yard backstroke and Coombs in the 200 freestyle.

Mayhall won last year's state title in the 100 backstroke in 57.45 seconds.

Swimmers are allowed to enter two individual events at the region meet. Mayhall said she'll decide between the 100 freestyle and the 200 individual medley for her second event, while Coombs has been solid in the 500 freestyle and 100 breaststroke.

The Panthers lost their first three dual meets this season, but Gonzalez said he's pleased with his young team's progress.

"Regionals are what it's all about," he said. "I don't care about dual meets during the season. It's just a mark to see where we're at; regionals are where you put all your hard work in."

Coombs said the Panthers' streak of region titles is "nice to have," but the team doesn't feel burdened by trying to win a fifth straight.

"I think our team will do well," she said. "We'll definitely make it to state in a couple relays, and I think we have a good chance."

Both swimmers will continue their careers in college, Mayhall at Vanderbilt and Coombs at Claremont (Calif.) McKenna College.

Gonzalez said it will be tough to replace the duo, which was part of the Panthers' state champion team in 2009.

"They've been part of the run the last three years, and they've been leaders," he said.

The top two individuals from the swimming finals, the top two divers and the top two relay teams per event in each region automatically clinch trips to the state meet May 21 in Carson City.

A fifth Southern Nevada individual will reach state in each event, based on the top remaining mark from either region.

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.