SUNRISE SWIMMING: Richter sets pace as Green Valley takes girls title

Forget the records. Green Valley sophomore Abby Richter is excited about the music.

Following her performance Saturday, Richter likely will be the top seed in both of her events at the upcoming Division I state swimming and diving meet. And that means she gets to select the walk-out song for each race.

“I think I’m going to choose the John Cena song,” Richter said in reference to the popular WWE wrestler. “That’s going to be fun.”

Richter broke two state records, and teammate Victoria Navarro also won two individual events to help Green Valley take home the girls team title at the Sunrise Region meet at UNLV’s Buchanan Natatorium.

The Gators, who finished runner-up the past four seasons after winning in 2010, totaled 562 points to narrowly defeat Coronado. The four-time defending champion Cougars scored 537 points, followed by Foothill (203).

The top two finishers in each event qualify for the state meet Saturday at Carson Aquatic Facility in Carson City. The third-place finisher with the best time between the Sunrise and Sunset regions also advances to state.

“Coronado is such a stacked team,” Richter said, “and to have this going into state, that’s going to be such a plus for us.”

Richter, the region swimmer of the year, won the 200-yard individual medley in 2 minutes, 2.9 seconds, bettering the mark of 2:02.97 set by Bishop Manogue’s Madi Hurst at last year’s state meet. Richter finished second to Hurst in that race.

Richter also defeated defending state champion Tonicia Thomas of Rancho by nearly three seconds in the 100 backstroke. Richter touched in 54.75, with the previous state best of 55.65 set in 2002 by Marshi Smith of Reno, according to the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association record book.

“My 200 IM wasn’t really where I wanted to be. I was about three seconds off my time,” Richter said. “And my 100 back, it was fun to race Tonicia. I’ve raced her at like every single club meet.”

Navarro won the 50 freestyle (24.09) and the 100 freestyle (52.07) and teamed with Richter, Liz Clinch and Brooke Ivey on the 200 medley relay team that set a region record at 1:48.24. Boulder City held the previous mark of 1:49.55 since 2012.

Coronado won the boys team title in a tightly contested, three-team battle. The Cougars scored 416 points to edge Green Valley (410) and Foothill (404½).

Jake Chir won the 200 freestyle, pulling away from Basic’s Liam Wetzel over the final half of the race to set a personal best in the event at 1:40.74. The Cal State-Bakersfield signee also lowered his own region record in the 100 freestyle by .14 seconds as he touched in 46.46.

“I had the record last year and everything. I just wanted to swim my best, and that’s it,” Chir said. “Getting the record again was pretty cool.”

Michael Velazquez of Green Valley was named the Sunrise swimmer of the year as he won two events. Velazquez set a region record in the 100 breaststroke, and his time of 55.84 is No. 2 in state history, according to the NIAA record book. He also took the 200 IM in 1:54.24, winning by nearly nine seconds.

Green Valley also caught a break as a disqualification was rescinded and the Gators won the 200 medley relay (1:38.86), though it wasn’t enough to catch Coronado for the team title.

Foothill’s Kaden Jesperson was first in the 100 butterfly (54.14) and 100 backstroke (55.84).