By GABRIELLE SHIOZAWA
Moapa Valley Progress
As the Moapa Valley High School Swim Team gathered by the pool at the Adelson Educational Campus to cheer for their teammates, it became clear that the new season had brought about a dramatic change in team dynamic.
“This is the team that we’ve been building for three years,” said returning swimmer Tyler Holmes, gesturing proudly to his enthusiastic team members, “a team that will support each other in every event, no matter what.”
The MVHS swimmers had a strong showing at their first meet of the season last Wednesday as they competed against Adelson. This year’s Pirate team includes 35 members, an increase of 10 since last season. Composed largely of new athletes, the young team includes many freshmen, sophomores, and foreign exchange students along with its returning competitors.
The team of Samuel Jolley, Chase LaCroix, Nathaniel Thompson, and Tyler Holmes started off the meet with the Boys 200 meter Medley Relay, taking first in the event with a time of 2:21.35.
Nathaniel Thompson went on to take second place in the Boys 200 meter freestyle with a time of 2:31.34. Isaac Bradshaw took third at 3:10.50.
In the Girls 200 meter freestyle, Jaci Holmes’ time of 2:59.69 earned her second place. Abbie Leavitt took fifth at 3:33.75, while Leontine Adler’s time of 3:39.78 placed her sixth. Michelle Duong finished off the race at 4:15.48 in seventh place.
“I was really nervous because I didn’t know how fast I had to swim,” said MVHS exchange student Leontine Adler. “I think I did [well]. I’m excited for our future swim meets.”
With a time of 34.47, Milo Farnsworth placed second in the Boys 50 meter Freestyle. Mitchell Lyon took fourth with his time of 35.17. Placing sixth with a time of 47.83 was Ryan McMurray, and finishing off the race for the Pirates was Spencer Raban, taking seventh at 54.65.
In the Girls 50 meter Freestyle, Macy Morgan took second at 40.40 to competitor Nicole Mulligan, who ended her race at 31.93. Hailee Heiselbetz and Payten Peluaga took fifth at 45.21 and sixth at 46.69, respectively. Camille Hardy finished off the race in seventh place at 51.06.
Chase LaCroix took first place in the Boys 100 meter Freestyle with his time of 1:08.14. Milo Farnsworth and Mitchell Lyon took third and fourth, respectively, with times of 1:23.89 and 1:26.64. Ryan McMurray finished fifth at 1:53.30.
Hannah Leavitt’s time of 1:20.65 earned her first place in the Girls 100 Freestyle. Brylee Watkins took third at 1:32.37, while Anna Stratton’s time of 1:38.57 placed her fifth. Skylar Farnsworth took seventh place at 1:44.31.
In the Boys 400 meter Freestyle, Tyler Holmes took first place at 5:31.39.
Holmes continued on to the Boys 200 meter Relay with teammates Chase LaCroix, Samuel Jolley, and Nathaniel Thompson. With a time of 2:03.76, the boys placed first in the event.
In the Girls 200 Relay, the team of Alexis Sawyer, Hannah Leavitt, Abbie Leavitt, and Jaci Holmes placed first with a time of 2:25.04.
Samuel Jolley took second place in the Boys 100 meter Backstroke with a time of 1:33.89.
Camille Hardy took second in the Girls 100 meter Breaststroke at 1:55.04. Marina Mortensen took fourth at 2:11.45 while Gabrielle Shiozawa finished fifth at 2:48.19.
The team of Tyler Holmes, Chase LaCroix, Samuel Jolley, and Nathaniel Thompson took first in the Boys 400 meter relay at 4:42.43.
In the Girls 400 relay, Alexis Sawyer, Hannah Leavitt, Abbie Leavitt, and Jaci Holmes finished in second place at 5:41.40.
Overall, the MVHS boys team beat Adelson by 33 points, while the girls team lost by 52 points.
Coach Thompson was excited about the potential of her team. “I look forward to each one of the athletes improving on their strokes,” she said.
The Pirate swimmers will compete against Chaparral at Heritage Park this Saturday.
