Dylan denDekker is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Brophy College Prep for AZPreps365.com 

PHOENIX-- Brophy College Prep came out on top versus Desert Vista in its home pool. The close meet was a whole team effort that came down to the final heat.

Before the final heat, the Broncos led by only seven points. “We needed to go two-three on that relay or we would have lost,” said head coach Daren Brubaker. During the final 400-yard freestyle relay, most of Brophy's swimmers encircled the pool as Gabe Gonda, Finn Crawford, Thomas Joswiak, and Jack Sorenson swam their legs.

“We swim for each other and that’s a big key,” said senior Justin Krueger. “It’s a big family, a big brotherhood. I couldn’t swim fast without them.” Krueger touched the wall first in the 200-yard freestyle relay and was part of the Broncos' other 400-yard freestyle relay squad that finishe third in that race, garnering points needed to secure victory.

The Broncos have kept “swimming for each other” as a main theme this season. “They all care about each other selflessly,” said coach Brubaker.

Prior to the season the team traveled north to Sedona for team bonding. “Whole retreat binded us together,” said senior captain Thomas Joswiak, who finished first in the 500-yard freestyle with a remarkable time of 4:54:31. Joswiak currently has the third fastest 500-free time in the state of Arizona. 

“We started swimming for each other and in the end, it was our team bond that pushed us through,” said Aiden Kelly, who finished third in 50-yard free. “It’s all the little things we do at practice, around our school day encouraging each other and uplifting them.”

“At the 400, everyone was cheering for everyone and it makes this win more valuable to me,” said Gabe Gonda. “Enjoying each other’s success and relishing that and seeing our progress throughout the season, is important to me." Gonda finished first in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 52.79 and swam the first lef of the afernoon's final race, the 400-free relay. 

After not competing in the 2020 State Championship, the Broncos are out to prove that they are still a threat to be reckoned with. Brophy Prep is on the search for its 43rd state title this season. The Bronco’s next swim event is on October 30 where they will host the 2021 AMDG Swim Invitational.