Rincon/University High senior Jeff Amlee, here swimming the butterfly during practice this week, will lead the Rangers this season. He earned three titles at the Class 5A-II state meet last year. High school teams around Southern Arizona begin competition on Sept. 3.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

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High school swimming coaches are excited about the current infatuation with swimming and diving.

"The Olympics helped get the interest up," said Rincon/University swimming coach Mike Ward. "And if that weren't enough, look at Frank (Busch)'s program at the UA — men's and women's.

"Couldn't ask for much more here in Tucson, and because of that we've got some good freshmen interest."

For Rangers swimmer Jeff Amlee, watching Michael Phelps provided some extra motivation.

"It's so ridiculous how someone can be that good," the senior said. "It's a good inspiration to see that right before swim season. Now, I just want to go and see how well I can do."

He'll get the chance as the season begins Wednesday.

Imagine how the U.S. swim team would feel if it were to lose Michael Phelps prior to the next Olympic Games. That must be how the Rincon/University boys feel after star swimmer Bobby Koubratoff graduated last year.

Koubratoff won four titles at last year's 5A-II state championship meet and played a huge role in Rincon's state runner-up performance. The Rangers finished nine points behind Scottsdale Horizon.

"He was definitely a Michael Phelps kind of a loss," Ward said. "He won everything he entered in. That will be big shoes to fill."

This season, the swimmer Rincon lost may not be as important as the ones it retained.

Seniors Amlee, David Berens, Alex Doumas and Sam Teegarden should lead the Rangers back to state championship contention.

Amlee did the most damage at state last year, winning the 50 freestyle and swimming with Koubratoff on Rincon's winning relays. Six swimmers graduated from the girls team, leaving a handful of upperclassmen and several promising incoming freshmen.

A third-place team finish at state last year will be difficult to duplicate unless the freshmen really sparkle in their first year. They will look to seniors like Amy Broderick.

"It's a lot of fun to be in that role," Broderick said. "When I was a freshman, I looked up to the seniors and it's an odd feeling to be that person."

"I can't decide whether to be intimidating or just really nice and supportive," Broderick said, laughing.

She specializes in the backstroke but hopes to improve her 50 and 100 free times to compete in as many events as possible at state.

Rincon's biggest 5A foe from Tucson is Ironwood Ridge, which finished second behind the Rangers in last year's Southern Region meet in boys and girls.

• Jeff Amlee, Sr., Rincon/University: Amlee said he didn't really start training for state last year until two weeks prior to the meet — then he won three events.

• Lauren Baker, Jr., Canyon del Oro: Baker improved on her freshman state finishes by earning third place in both the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly at state last year.

• Herbie Behm, Sr., Catalina Foothills: How will he top last year's performance in the 4A-I state championship meet? He won the 50 freestyle in 20.35 seconds, setting a new 4A state record.

• Erin Bleyl, Jr., Pusch Ridge Christian: She won the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke in the first ever 1A-3A state swimming championships, helping the Pusch Ridge girls finish fourth overall in the meet.

• Anthony Chiaro, Sr., Sahuaro: In Chiaro's state performance last season, he won the 500 free by just .18 seconds and was second in the 200 free, just .06 of a second behind the winner. He could win both events this year.

• Karima Chuk, Jr., Catalina Foothills: Last year, she followed her first region victory in the 500 free with an easy sub-5-minute win at state.

• Sarah Denninghoff, Jr., Sabino: As a sophomore last year, Denninghoff won 4A-I state titles in the 50 and 100 free races. Could she be good enough to aid Sabino in dethroning superpower Foothills?

• Nico Montaño, Sr., Santa Rita: He won the diving title at state last season. He was the only athlete on his team to win an event and the only diver in Southern Arizona to come close.

• Geordon Price, Sr., Palo Verde: With Sabino's Tyler Kybartas and Nick Hadinger gone, Price becomes probably the best backstroker in Southern Arizona and maybe the state. He set a personal record of 52.62 seconds while winning last year's 4A state title in the 100 back.

• Stefanie Wells, Sr., Sahuaro: Wells is going for her third consecutive win in the 100 back. And if she can catch Denninghoff, Wells might also have a shot at the 100 free.