2009 Chiefs News:

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09.16.09 - The Chiefs faced off with their first Black Canyon region foe on Tuesday. The agenda called for a trip across town to match up with the Washington Rams.

The women were hot, hot, hot as eight different athletes captured all nine individual events. Congratulations to Taylor Hoffman (200 free), Nicole Kostyk (200 IM), Kelsey Cooke (50 free, 100 fly), Bailey Ellington (diving) Erin Strohmeyer (100 free) Jenna Brems (500 free), Ashley Jobst (100 back) and Chelsea Shiles (100 breast).

Also pitching in with legs on victorious relays were Jackie Bailes and Maggie Wisman. The end of the day found the Chiefs sweep every event and return home with a 142 - 43 victory.

The men continued to show improvement in a close 101-85 loss to the Rams. Led by stalwarts Robbie McKernan and Seth Benson who won two events apiece, the Chiefs also captured the 200 Medley relay with the help of Tyler Lowy and Taylor Arvayo. Time drops are becoming common place as Taylor has dropped seven seconds from his hundred free, Greg Perez nine seconds and Jeff Miller four seconds since the Intersquad meet on 8/29. The Chiefs next travel north to compete against Flagstaff high.

Travel to Flagstaff: We will be making this trip next Tuesday via charter bus. We will be leaving after second lunch (12:35) in order to make a timely arrival in Flagstaff. Following the meet we will stop for a meal and return to the Valley. A best guess for return time is 9 PM Our bus has seating for 55 which means some athletes will not be making the trip. Our trip list will potentially change based on eligibility and unexcused absences. Unexcused absences will drop the student athlete to the bottom of the list. If anyone knows that they cannot go on this trip, the staff needs to know now so that other athletes can take their place.

09.15.09 - Changes were made to the meet schedule. Please take note, the location of the Greenway meet has changed.

09.11.09 - The Prescott Badgers paid a visit to the Valley on Thursday to swim against the Chiefs. Thunderbird, swimming the second half of a two meet week, put up a game fight. Under the threat of inclement weather, the newly energized diving squad ran through full set of 6 dives led by the women's victor on the one meter, Taylor Sloan.

The action then moved between the lane lines as event winners Kelsey Cooke (200 Free, 500 Free), Taylor Hoffman (200 IM), Seth Benson (200 IM, 500 Free) , Jenna Brems (50 Free, 100 Free) and Erin Strohmeyer (100 Back) led the charge.

They were helped by exemplary relay efforts from Taylor Arvayo, Greg Perez, Ashley Jobst and Chelsea Shiles. At the end of the day the women posted a substantial victory of 125-61 while the men endured another frustrating loss 76-110. Things will slow down next week with only one meet (away, against Washington) as the squad focuses on sprinting, starts and turns.

09.09.09 - The Chiefs traveled over North Mountain for a rare meet hosted by the rival Sunnyslope Vikings. Making the meet even more unique is that it was held in a long course (50 meter) format.

Despite another set of tremendous efforts, both squads fell to the Vikings by almost identical scores (127-58 men; 122-64 women). The day was not without victory as Seth Benson (200 IM, 100 Breaststroke), Erin Strohmeyer (200 free, 400 free) and Kelsey Cooke (100 Backstroke) all won events.

After two meets against strong opponents the coaching staff is pleased with the squads progress. With more than half the team new this year we expect to learn more and work hard to peak at the end of the season. Great things are ahead for the 2009 swimming and diving Chiefs.

09.03.09 - The 2009 swim season kicked off with a bang on Thursday with an "away" meet at our home pool at Moon Valley.

The women scored a stunning 103 to 79 victory riding a wave of diving prowess to victory. Event winners included Taylor Sloan (diving), Taylor Hoffman (100 Breaststroke), Erin Strohmeyer (200, 500 freestyle) and Kelsey Cooke (50, 100 freestyle). Exemplary performances were also turned in by Nicole Kostyk, Darby Johnson, Ashley Jobst and Chelsea Shiles. Everyone had a great first meet. We had no missed events and a ton of great efforts.

The men came up just short in a 71-112 defeat to the Matadors. Like the ladies they were led by diving as Jayse Brunner, Alex Burry and Gavin Glatting went one, two, three on the boards. In the pool senior stalwarts Seth Benson (200 IM, 100 Breast) and Robbie McKernan (100 Backstroke) captured three events between them. Stellar efforts came from many swimmers new to the program highlighted by Taylor Arvayo's 100 butterfly and a gutty performance from Greg Perez. Like the ladies, this was a great starting point for the season.

There is practice Saturday, there is no practice Monday. Enjoy the day off.

Next week has two meets. We are at Sunnyslope on Tuesday and host Prescott on Thursday. Like the Shadow Mountain meet, we will be taking the bus over to Sunnyslope. Your student athlete needs to take the bus to and from the meet. If you must take your child (and only you child, not their friends) home directly from the meet, you may do so by signing a release slip available from the coaching staff.

09.02.09 - Shadow Mountain's staff contacted us last night at practice to clarify times for the meet Shadow Mountain will be hosting on Thursday. We will conduct the swimming portion of the meet at 4:30 and dive at the conclusion of swimming. An approximate time for diving is 6:00.

We hope to see as many family and friends at the first meet of the season.

09.01.09 - The GUHSD relay meet has unfortunately been cancelled due to lack of interst from six district schools.

09.01.09 - The State 4A-II State championships are confirmed to take place at Mesa Kino pool October 29th and 30th. The 4A-II Black Canyon Region championships are currently scheduled for October 19th and 20th at Cactus High School (swimming) and October 22nd at Apollo High School.

09.01.09 - Anyone with unsold Entertainment books needs to return them no later than end of practice Wednesday. After that point, you have purchased the book. If you have sold Entertainment books we need to collect that payment by the same deadline.

09.01.09 - Pool management has indicated that our "away" meet against Shadow Mountain will have swimming starting at 4:00 pm on Thursday.

09.01.09 - Parents, if you were unable to attend our parents meeting, you can find and electronic copy of our parents guide here.

**UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: practice is at Apollo High School from 3:30 to 5:30, Monday through Friday. The water main has broken at Cactus Park and that pool is out of commission for the immediate future.

http://thunderbird.guhsdaz.org/athletics/Athletic_Clearance/

7.29.09 - First practice is at Moon Valley Country Club on August 10th at 7:00pm.

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