Slam-dunk for Skyline

The 2005-06 swim season will be remembered at Skyline as a year of transition.

Months before the season began, the Eagles lost coach Rod Horton, who accepted an opportunity to become an administrator at Taylorsville. Skyline had become dominant under Horton, racking up four straight girls titles and five consecutive boys championships.

When it came to picking a new coach, one of the main goals was to find someone capable of continuing Skyline's recent dominance.

So far so good.

First-year coach Joe Pereira inherited two talented teams, and he converted that ability into another pair of state championships for Skyline.

As expected, the Eagles' girls team rolled to victory at the 5A state meet two weeks ago at BYU's Richards Building. They beat Kearns 452 points to 337.5. On the other hand, the boys won 356-277 over Kearns.

"They really stepped it up," said Pereira.

Skyline's coach hopes to turn the school into a swimming dynasty. Some have already used that word to describe the program, but the Eagles aren't there yet, according to Pereira.

"A dynasty to me isn't until you get over 10," he said.

Several girls turned in great performances.

For starters, there was Sara Nicponski. Overlooked for Swimmer of the Year for much of the season, she won the 200-yard individual medley and broke the state record in the 100 breast. Those swims placed her second just behind Brighton's Ana Agy for Swimmer of the Year.

Senior Anna Crandall, who signed with Oregon State, won the 200 free and helped Skyline win two of three relays.

KC Albiston, meanwhile, won the 500 free and finished third to Crandall in the 200 freestyle.

The boys side was anchored by juniors Tom Ekstrom and Nate Swallow. Ekstrom claimed wins in the 200 free and 100 back. He finished just points off Brighton's Luc Monson for Swimmer of the Year.

That award is based on a swimmer's performance in two individual events. Ekstrom would have beaten Monson by one point, but Monson got the nod when altitude adjustments were used.

For swimmers like Nicponski, Crandall, Albiston, Ekstrom and Swallow, Sectionals during the second week in March will be the next big step.

"They're trying for Sectionals," said Pereira. "They can swim a lot faster there. They're using (the state meet) as a springboard for Sectionals."

Next year, Nicponski will anchor another deep and talented girls team, while Swallow and Ekstrom will lead the boys.

The Eagles have a solid incoming freshman class.

"My freshman class is pretty strong," said Pereira.

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E-mail: drasmussen@desnews.com