D-III swim/dive: Phoenix Country Day boys, Sabino girls triumph
November 6, 2016 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365
Small schools were afforded their own swim and dive division for 2016 and Phoenix Country Day boys and Sabino girls seized team titles on Saturday in the Division III meet at Phoenix Country Day's Aquatic Center.
Phoenix Country Day boys scored 300 points using depth to prevail. The Eagles had no individual champs and won no relays. They did pack in several top five finishes in most events, led by Tyler Barfield, Sam Damore, Jake Rodin, Harrison Rooney and Grant Logan. PCD ws second in the 400 relay, third in teh 200 medley relay and fifth in the 200 free relay.
Runner-up was Seton Catholic (215), Tempe Prep (172) was third and Sabino (139) took fourth. The AIA had sanctioned a 3A-2A-1A swim/dive meet for three years between 2007-2009. It added D-III this year at the request of membership.
Sabino's girls ended up with 199 points, led by Kaylin Farnum. It's the first swim-dive title for Sabino, which finished runner-up five times in big-school competition previously. Northland Prep (163), American Leadership Academy (149) and Veritas Prep (146) rounded out the top four.
Tempe Prep senior Jeffrey Snoddy with four golds and Seton senior Archie Spindler notching three were the standouts. Snoddy won the 50 free and 100 breast, swam the second leg of the top 200 medley relay team and led off the winning 200 free relay. Spindler notched the 200 free and 500 free titles and anchored the 400 relay. Pusch Ridge's Will Newman won two events, taking the 200 IM and 100 back. Winning one event each were Walden Grove's Andrew Nay (100 free) and Bourgade Catholic's Zabric Kline (100 fly).
Farnum, a sophomore, enjoyed a good day winning the 100 free and anchoring the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay teams to victory. Winning two individual events each were Coolidge's Morgan Tamisiea (200 free and 500 free) and American Leadership Academy's Katie McBratney (200 IM) and (100 breast). Veritas Prep's Katie Higgins won the 100 fly and anchored the winning 200 free relay. Taking home one title apiece were Arete Prep's Abigail Zajdzinski (100 back) and Gilbert Christian's Naomi Vaughn (50 free).