Matthew Badger is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to Cortez High School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX - Cortez fell just short to Central on Thursday, losing 109-96 in a dual meet at Cortez Park. The Cortez girls were defeated 44-29, but the boys won three of the last four heats to win 67-65.

Sophomore Dayday Khay helped Cortez win the 4x50 freestyle relay. The team finished with a time of 1:50.84, within the qualifying standards for the state championship.

“I come to practice every day,” he said. “I try my best not to miss a single one so that I can make states.”

Senior Hyrum Pulver, who led off the 4x50 relay, dominated the 100 breaststroke. He swam a 1:17.38, well within the time needed for states. He also posted a 200 IM time of 2:36.34, less than one second shy of the state qualifying time.

Hyrum’s younger brother, Timothy, swam a 1:17.02 to win the 100 butterfly for Cortez. Junior Adrian Martinez Velasquez swam the 500 freestyle for the first time, finishing in second with a time of 7:24.13.

Senior Azul Soledad Gonzalez swam every race for the girls: 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 4x50 freestyle relay, and 4x100 freestyle relay. Despite the team’s small size, her impact is profound. 

“She encourages everybody all the time,” coach Jeannette Pogue said. “Last year she won our Cheer Award because she’s constantly cheering everyone on. She’s always super supportive.”

Gonzalez, who also participates in the school band, enjoys being a role model for the team.

“I really do like swim and I want to encourage everyone to be supportive,” she said. “I hope the people who are next up for seniors are also going to be a good example.”

Going into the final weeks of the season, she’s looking to return to her standards in the pool while also enjoying the rest of her time with the team.

“I’ve been sick these past weeks, and I really want to make up for those days,” Gonzalez said. “I’d like to try to get a better time and go to states.”

“I’m really going to miss the whole community,” she said. “So being here on time is another thing I want to keep doing.” 

Pogue, who’s only in her second season with Cortez, said the team is still growing. 

“Our girls team is a little small, so we don’t get to compete in as many events as we would want to,” she said. “We’re also still very new. Two of our four swimmers, this is their first year. One of them, this is her second year.”

“They’re all doing really great,” she said. “I’m super impressed with how much they’re willing to push themselves.”

Khay attributes the team’s unwavering spirit to the coaches. 

“The coaches being a positivity to us makes us open up to each other,” he said.

Cortez will return after the school’s fall break, and travel to Avondale Aquatic Center to face West Point and Tolleson Union on Oct. 16 at 4 p.m.

Central will travel to Goodyear YMCA Pool to face Agua Fria and Goodyear on Oct. 23 at 4 p.m.