State swimming and diving: Albuquerque Academy, Cottonwood Classical continue title streaks

Saturday was all about the streaks — and the sweeps — at the Albuquerque Academy Natatorium.

The host for Saturday’s state swimming and diving finals, Albuquerque Academy extended its dynastic run of girls team titles to 10, the longest such streak in state history.

The Chargers finished with a staggering 469 points, beating out next-closest Clovis (256) and La Cueva (220). Academy now has a state record 26 girls team titles, with the last two coming under second-year head coach Jim Van Atta.

“It’s exciting to just be part of that legacy,” he said. “ … Continuing to try to fill in those shoes (of) my predecessors has been fun and important.”

Despite some “stumbles,” Van Atta said his team was able to more than make up for it on their way to an unimpeachable 10th straight championship. Upperclassmen leaders like Bella Moskowitz helped the Chargers take home titles in the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relays while eighth-grader Riley Rosandich finished the 100-yard freestyle in 53.95 seconds to notch a key win.

“It means a lot to me,” she said. “I was really excited for this meet, and I think it’s just so cool … We’re all super excited about the (team title), and I think we’re gonna celebrate it soon.”

On the boys' side, Academy finished with 246 points for the program’s second straight team title and 26th overall, though it was a much closer leaderboard. Eldorado (224) and La Cueva (218) were second and third, respectively.

Van Atta spread the credit around, mentioning Shepard Camp — who helped key four titles — and “secret weapon” Oliver Mattox as swimmers who helped the Chargers come together for another title.

“We really had to rise up,” he added. “We had to have a few swimmers that were not top swimmers in their past jump into our relays and cover some gaps, and they all dropped time.”

In the small-schools division, Cottonwood Classical took home the boys and girls team titles for the fourth-straight year despite only three wins between both teams.

“Them winning here for the fourth time, it’s unbelievable,” head coach Adrian Gonzales said. “They really make me speechless with how talented they are. It’s insane what they’re capable of — I can’t describe it. These guys are just so good, and the girls are so good.”

On a special day for Cottonwood, perhaps no Coyote drew more attention than Roman Rodriguez. Cottonwood’s star junior won the 100 butterfly (47.71) and backstroke (49.26) races, setting a new state record in the former.

Albuquerque Academy’s Anthony Kim set the previous record (48.55) in 2016.

After Rodriguez’s strong performances throughout the season and in Friday’s prelim race, Gonzales said he knew there was potential for the record to fall Saturday — so long as he had the right approach.

“With Roman, he knows what he needs to do, but it’s a mentality (thing) for him,” Gonzales said. “Sometimes he does get in his head, sometimes he does get a little too overhyped, but we toss it out. And I just told him, ‘hey, you need to lock in, focus on this event — you know what you need to do.’”

“I was fully locked in,” Rodriguez added. “Got it done.”

In diving, Hobbs’ Alfredo Hernandez finished with 532.90 points to win the boys state title outright after sharing last year’s with Academy’s Mattox. The Eagles junior did so this season after he hurt his neck practicing, a tweak that caused pain whenever he tried to turn his head.

But by the time Saturday came? No issue.

“I woke up, felt good, turned my head — felt good,” he said. “I was ready. Took a deep breath and everything felt good.”

Sophomore Kinley Gonzales also represented Hobbs well, carding a 399.20 to secure the first girls diving state title in school history and helped give the Eagles a sweep on the 1-meter board.

Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.