By J.T. Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

The Artesia High School swim team is small in numbers – seven girls and eight boys – but the swimmers have big goals and they will don their goggles in pursuit of medals at this weekend’s state swimming championships.

The state competition is being held Friday and Saturday, Feb.21-22, at the Albuquerque Academy Natatorium.

The girls’ team includes eighth-grader London Acosta; ninth-grader Morgan Fisher; sophomores Johanna Padilla and Anikah Wisen; junior Sarah Plotner; and seniors Addisyn Hartman and Ann Greenwood.

The boys are: senior Andree Bautista; juniors Alec Ciro, Aidan Ciro, Eli DeHoyos, Dylan Florez, Chaz Rogers and Javier Rodriguez; and sophomore Layton Whitmire.

Artesia coach Andrea Ciro gave the Artesia Daily Press an exclusive rundown on the prospects of some of her key swimmers as they headed for the state meet:

Girls

Ann Greenwood is a team captain who has had a fantastic season. Ciro believes Greenwood can win a gold medal in the 100 Butterfly and a silver medal in the 100 Breaststroke. She will also be on the Girls A 200 Medley Relay and Girls A 200 Free Relay.

Addisyn Hartman is a team captain with a realistic shot at making the Championship A Final heat in the 200 Individual Medley and the 100 Butterfly on Saturday. She will also be on the Girls A 200 Medley and Girls A 200 Free Relays.

“She has been a blessing to our team and has led the girls with courage and hard work,” Ciro said.

Johanna Padilla has a great chance of medaling and making the B Final and possibly the Championship A Final heat in the 100 Backstroke. She will be swimming on all three relays.

“She has so much potential and is such a well-rounded swimmer,” Ciro said. “We are excited to have her for two more years.”

Sarah Plotner’s goal is to medal and qualify for the Championship A final heat in the 200 Freestyle.

“She is excellent under pressure and we expect to see some dynamite splits from her on our relays,” Ciro said.

Morgan Fisher has a big yet realistic goal: to make the Championship A Final heat in the 100 Breaststroke. She will also swim in the 200 Individual Medley and the Girls’ 400 Freestyle Relay.

“She (Fisher) is young, energetic, and confident,” Ciro said. “That is a great recipe for a future Bulldog champion.”

Anikah Wisen was close to making the cut in the individual 100 Freestyle and she will be an integral part of the 400 Free Relay.

“Expect to see her on all the relays and in individual events next year,” Ciro said.

London Acosta “has had an amazing season,” Ciro said. “She is going as an alternate for the relays, and her talent and competitiveness are a testament to our program. When she returns to this meet next year, she will see what is in her near future – swimming multiple events.”

Boys

Aidan Ciro is a captain and Andrea Ciro’s son. He wants to win gold in one or both of his events.

“He has an excellent shot at winning,” Coach Ciro said. “The competition is fierce, but so is Aidan, and true grit is what it will take to win. I foresee him in the top three in his 50 Freestyle and 100 Butterfly.”

Eli DeHoyos is a captain and has an excellent shot at placing in the Top three in the 100 Breaststroke and making the 100 Freestyle Championship A Final heat.

“He wants to win the 100 Breaststroke,” Ciro said. “It is possible if he keeps believing it is possible, too. He is a fighter, and he will give it 110%.”

Layton Whitmire will be gunning for top three medal performances in the 200 and 50 Freestyle.

“The sprint freestyles are so hard to predict,” Ciro said. “Layton is young, determined, and competitive. I expect him to be spectacular and outperform his competitors, securing top-three performances in both events.”

Andree Bautista is a senior and aims to make it into the B Final heat of his 50 Freestyle.

“His sprinting abilities will play a crucial role in swimming on all three of the boys’ relays,” Ciro said. “He has been such a great addition to our team.”

J.T. Keith can be reached at jtkeith@elritomedia.com.