SUNRISE REGION: Boulder City boys, Coronado girls take titles

Boulder City’s boys swim team captured the Sunrise Region championship five years ago and has been trying to return to prominence ever since.

The Eagles accomplished their mission Saturday by earning the Sunrise championship with 420 points at Desert Breeze.

Green Valley came in second (381) and Coronado took third (309).

“I’m so proud of those guys,” Boulder City coach Sara Carroll said. “I’m grateful that my guys all stepped up as a team and exceeded everyone’s expectations.”

Boulder City junior Zane Grothe earned the Sunrise men’s Swimmer of the Year award and placed first in both the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 50.58 seconds and the 500 freestyle (4:30.86). Both times earned him automatic All-American status. Grothe also set the Sunrise Region record with a time of 49.92 seconds in the 100 butterfly preliminaries on Thursday.

“With the 100-yard fly I was just going all-out to win it and with the 500-yard free I knew it was going to be tough racing against Green Valley’s Robert Hommel,” Grothe said. “I was watching him the whole race and it was close as we were neck and neck.”

Hommel won the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:54.45.

Tech’s Johnny Funk also had a strong meet, winning the 100 backstroke (52.84) and placing second in the 100 butterfly (51.88).

“My main competitor, Sean Jefferson (Green Valley), was in Lane 5 and once I saw myself passing him I knew I was going to win it,” Funk said of the backstroke victory.

Green Valley’s William Meek won the 100 freestyle (49.02) and 200 freestyle (1:46.72).

Coronado’s girls won the championship with 498 points. Green Valley took second (435) and Foothill came in third (279).

“The girls have done so well this year,” Coronado coach Brenda Tomtan-Braymen said. “They work well together as a team and we’re excited for next week.”

Coronado’s Alixan Mertel won the Sunrise girls Swimmer of the Year award and placed first in the 100 backstroke with a Sunrise Region record time of 57.87 seconds. She was second in the 200 individual medley (2:07.93). Her 100 backstroke time was fast enough to earn her All-American consideration status.

“I definitely felt I was a front-runner coming in,” Mertel said. “I was way excited to get the consideration time and in setting the regional record. I think with this next week of rest, I think I can give it a go for the state title.”

Coronado’s Tatum Gormley helped with wins in the 100 butterfly (59.65) and 100 breastroke (1:09.06).

Green Valley’s Addie Oswald won the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:07.46 and the 100 freestyle (53.33). Allie Dodds won the 200 freestyle (1:53.31) and the 500 freestyle (5:06.53) for the Gators.