Two Maricopa Swimmers Reap Rewards of Dedication and Effort

Following their notable participation in the Division I Swim and Dive State Championships the previous year as part of Maricopa’s boys’ relay team, Holden Gehrke and Luis Sanchez-Quiroz returned to the Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa. This time, they were the sole representatives for the Rams swim team after qualifying in two events each.

However, Sanchez-Quiroz faced an unfortunate setback, unable to compete in the 100-yard butterfly or the 100-yard backstroke due to an injury sustained just before the event. Maricopa head coach Meg O’Brien made the tough call to withdraw him from the events, prioritizing his recovery for future competitions, particularly considering his junior status and upcoming club season commitments.

This left Gehrke, the sophomore swimmer, to carry the team’s hopes, participating in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke.

Coach O’Brien expressed immense pride in the dedication and effort displayed by both Gehrke and Sanchez-Quiroz, acknowledging their hard work both during the high school season and their training with the Arizona Seals Swimming Academy. She noted substantial improvements in their performances and highlighted their evolving leadership qualities, emphasizing their growth within and beyond the pool.

Gehrke, competing in the medley with a time of 2:07.84 and in the breaststroke with a time of 1:03.97 during the preliminaries, reflected on the intense competition of the high school state compared to club state meets. He appreciated the competitive edge and camaraderie among athletes from various schools, particularly enjoying the opportunity to compete with friends from the Arizona Seals at the high school level.

The experience was markedly different this time, with only Gehrke and Sanchez-Quiroz representing Maricopa, contrasting the previous season when both boys’ and girls’ relay teams qualified. Gehrke noted the heightened challenge and a realization of the speed and skill of fellow competitors at the state level, motivating him to strive for greater success in the sport.

Expressing a fondness for the breaststroke, considering it his main event, Gehrke outlined his plans for the offseason, aiming to focus on rigorous practice, consistency, strength training, and improvement to elevate his performance in the next high school season.

Coach O’Brien emphasized the demanding nature of competing at the state’s apex level and commended Gehrke and Sanchez-Quiroz for maintaining top-50 placements in their respective events throughout the season. She attributed their success to their unwavering commitment, highlighting their extra practice sessions, gym workouts, and relentless pursuit of personal goals.

Their resilience and dedication served as a testament to their competitive spirit and desire for continuous improvement, earning praise from O’Brien for their admirable work ethic and determined pursuit of success in the sport.