The Woods Cross girls and boys swimming teams were second a year ago at Region 5 and return a host of key swimmers this season, hoping to challenge for the title this time around. On the girls side are Alanna Holzer, Grace Gilbert, Bekah Cyril, Sophia Mortensen, Grace Woodbury and Avery Boynton with Isaac Chomjak, Justin Chamberlain, Diego Gutierrez, Moose Norman, Ammon Kamauu, Will Hunter and Max Holdstock back for the boys.

Head coach Andrew Bird, who is in his seventh season with the Wildcats, and assistant coach Jamie Berbert-Holzer, in her third year, encouraged their swimmers to compete in water polo and track during the offseason to keep activity levels high for the year ahead. 

Woods Cross began their season at the Greg Fernley Invite in St. George Nov. 3-4 behind Chamberlain’s first-place finish in the 100 breaststroke. He also placed second in the 200 Individual Medley and swam legs on the third-place 200 medley relay and the sixth-place 400 free relay to lead the boys team to sixth place. Other top showings for the Wildcats, who took fifth overall at the meet, were Alanna Holzer (second, 100 free; second, 200 free relay; fourth, 200 medley relay; fifth, 50 free), Ava Glissmeyer (second, 200 free relay; fourth, 100 free; fourth, 200 medley relay; fifth, 100 back), Gilbert (second, 200 free relay; fourth, 200 medley relay), Cyril (second, 200 free relay; fourth, 200 medley relay; 10th, 100 breast), Chomjak (third, 50 free; third, 200 medley relay; fourth, 100 back; sixth, 400 free relay), Gutierrez (third, 200 medley relay), Kamauu (third, 200 medley relay; sixth, 400 free relay; eighth, 100 fly; eighth, 500 free) and Norman (sixth, 400 free relay; 10th, 100 fly).

Woods Cross is also scheduled to compete against Layton, Viewmont and Northridge Nov. 7, at the Thanksgiving Invitational Nov. 17-18, at Taylorsville Nov. 28, against Northridge, Viewmont and Clearfield Dec. 8, at the District Meet Dec. 16, against Farmington and Layton Jan. 11, against Viewmont and Box Elder Jan. 18, at the Mayors Cup Jan. 19 and the Region 5 championships at the South Davis Recreation Center Feb. 3. The 5A state championships are scheduled for Feb. 23-24 at BYU.

Also on the WXHS squad hoping to take the region title this time around are newcomer freshman Ava Glissmeyer along with Landon Ballard, Lucy Ballard, Shane Ballard, Rachel Barlow, Jade Bevans, Emerson Bissett, Derek Canova, Ethan Carter, Erin Clark, Jacob Dustin, Lucy Fox, Katie Hansen, Mary-Elizabeth Harden, Abby Hibber, Alexander Holdstock, Kalli Holzer, Megan Hunter, Santiago Leal, Allyssa McBride, Emi McBride, Emily Nelson, Elizabeth Norman, Katelyn Norman, Sheyla Padilla, Tessa Parker, Samuel Porter, Logan Richards, Mckay Richards, Brody Rogers, Brynlee Rough, Mackay Spencer, Mia Stoker, Tomas Suarez, Annabelle Telford, Andrew Tippets, Rory Violette, Carson Wade, Landon Wade, Isabel Wesche and Aynsley White.

“We’re excited for the team and our seniors to have a great season,” said coach Berbert-Holzer.