Swimmers and divers heading to State Championship

RIO RANCHO – The Swimming & Diving regular season has ended. Now it’s time to figure out who’s the best of the best. Teams from across New Mexico started finding out as district meets began two weeks ago.

For the Storm and the Rams swimming & diving squads, however, it was last weekend that mattered. The teams hit the Natatorium at Albuquerque Academy on Feb. 15-16 for the District 5 Swimming & Diving Championships.

The Rams boys finished fifth and the Storm boys finished sixth.

The Rams girls finished third and the Storm girls finished fifth.

Storm swimmer Ava Schlosser continued her dominant season with two first-place finishes. She won the 50-Yard Freestyle with a time of 24.43 seconds. She also defeated all challengers in the 100-Yard Backstroke, where she finished with an impressive 1:02.85.

Following the district meet, Cleveland High School announced the swimmers representing the Storm this year at the State Championship will be Ziyah Chavez-Rodriguez, Cloe Ledesma, Lucia Pena, Ava Schlosser, Deja Smith and Hailey Wagenblast. The alternates will be Molly Bloom, Ciara Mckinney and Alayna McKinney.

For the boys, Diego Cavadas Comarella, Lucas Espinosa, Guha Hari and Dylan Schluep will hit the pool. The alternates will be John Fredette, Karan Hari and Devin Harris.

Rio Rancho High School also announced their roster for the State Championship.

The girls will be sending Yamileth Marquez, Orla Baiardo, Shannon Baiardo, Kendal Moody, Kostyn Perry, Chloe Bagley, Melanie Baltz and Taylon Ortiz. Alternates will be McKinley King, Rylee Ortiz and Baileigh Culpepper.

The Rams boys will send Noah Bratvold, Caleb Solis, Jacob Rice, Xavier King, Charles Scott, Davie Lafler, Sean Bogue and Matthew Seymour. The alternates will be Damien Tafoya, Tatum Meyer and Sean Bogue (for 400 Freestyle Relay).

District 5 Swimming & Diving Championship

sTeam scores

GIRLS (Out of 13)

1. Academy, 474

2. Cottonwood, 222

3. Rio Rancho, 218.5

4. St Pius, 216

5. Cleveland, 190.5

BOYS (Out of 13)

1. Academy, 464

2. St Pius, 235

3. Cottonwood, 228.5

4. Hope Christian, 226.5

5. Rio Rancho, 201

6. Cleveland, 180.5