Mirabella Miranda is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Phoenix Country Day for AZPreps365.com.

Students walk by PCDS’s state-of-the-art aquatic facility right outside of their classrooms every day. It motivates them to dive into a sport they had never considered before.

“Having a facility like this...we’re very spoiled,” said diving coach Kristin Pruett.

Phoenix Country Day has been a powerhouse in swimming and diving for years.

Having one of the best aquatic facilities in the state has given the school a competitive edge.

“We have an in-ground advantage,” said swim coach Michael Maczuga.

PCDS boasts an $8.8 million aquatic center that includes a state-of-the-art heated Olympic sized pool, a smaller teaching pool and diving well.

Head diving coach Kristin Pruett met Samantha Stein while she was a substitute for a third-grade class at PCDS and persuaded her to join the diving team.

Stein’s been diving ever since and is now one of PCDS’s best divers. 

The facility allows coaches to work one-on-one with athletes.

“Giving them the resources and the right coaching has really been it,” said Athletic Director Shane Lewis.

Some school districts only have a few swim coaches for the entire school district or are forced to bus their athletes to an aquatic facility because they do not have one on campus.

Phoenix Country Day’s on-campus facility allows athletes to practice often and improve rapidly.

The boys swim team has won the AIA Boys Swim State Championship the past two out of three years and the girls team is also a state title contender this year.