With its strongest boys team in years, Dixie High looks to be the favorite for the 3A state swimming title. The team has dedicated the season to late coach Greg Fernley, who was lost to cancer earlier in the season. The Flyers will wear T-shirts in his memory at the meet this weekend at the BYU swimming pool.
The 4A swimming championships also take place this weekend at BYU. Four finals events will be held on Friday (4 p.m. for 4A; 7:30 p.m. for 5A), and the rest of the competition is slated for Saturday (11 a.m. for 4A; 5 p.m. for 3A).
Dixie is led by brothers Taison and Keric Allen. Keric posted the season's fastest times in all eight of the individual events, and is the favorite in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly. Taison is top seed in the 50 and 100 freestyles. Jake Bundy (butterfly and breastroke) and Sean Fernley (distance and backstroke) join the Allens on Dixie's favored 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
Cedar, Canyon View and Lehi are not to be counted out, and will challenge Dixie for the title. Rex Frisbey of Snow Canyon is the top seed in the 100 backstroke. Other strong swimmers include sprinter Mike Molyneux (Cedar), Robbie Young (Waterford), BJ Hadzik (Tooele) and Jon Field (Bear River).
In the girls competition, Park City, Cedar and Tooele will all be in contention for the state title. Park City is led by the state's top butterflier, freshman Jackie Ellis; Cedar boasts seniors Juliette Johnson and Necia Biederman, and backstroker Lacey Maggio; and Nicole Huffman and Jennifer Rockwell led Tooele to defend its title.
Tiffany Fry (Pine View) will be strong in the sprints, and South Summit's Jamie Lambert is the top seed in both the 100 breastroke and 50 freestyle.
CLASS 4A: Murray High School is the favorite for both the girls and boys team titles at the 4A state meet.
Freshman Brittany Davis (Cyprus) has taken the state by storm and promises to make a strong showing at state as well.
Sophomore Sarah Bugden threatens to defend her title in the 200 freestyle, but Anaylnn Skablund (Timpview) will be tough competition.
Nikki Tadlock is the favorite for the 100 breastroke, and Amy McClellen for the 100 backstroke. The Cyprus girls are expected to
defend their title in the 400 freestyle relay.
In 4A boys competition, Timpview's Christian Armstrong (100 breastroke and 500 freestyle) and Spencer Erikson are expected to swim fast as well.