Small Team, Big Finish: Centennial’s Dara Ayala Claims State Title at NMAA Swim Championships

ALBUQUERQUE — A small group of Las Cruces-area swimmers represented local high schools at the 2026 NMAA State Swimming and Diving Championships held Feb. 20–21 at the Albuquerque Academy Natatorium, highlighted by a state championship performance from Centennial’s Dara Ayala.

Ayala captured first place in the Girls 50-yard freestyle with a winning time of 24.68 seconds and later added a runner-up finish in the Girls 100-yard freestyle, touching the wall in 54.30.

Seven swimmers from Las Cruces Public Schools qualified for the state meet, competing under a shared district coaching structure that combines athletes from multiple schools due to limited participation numbers.

Las Cruces High’s McKenzi Egnaczak placed 12th in the Girls 100-yard breaststroke, while Mayfield’s Arabella Richardson finished 15th in the same event and placed 13th in the Girls 200-yard individual medley. Teammate Maliyah Richardson recorded a 13th-place finish in the Girls 200-yard freestyle and placed 10th in the 500-yard freestyle.

On the boys side, Centennial’s James Farrell finished seventh in the 200-yard individual medley and ninth in the 100-yard backstroke. Josiah Valencia added finishes of 11th in the 100-yard butterfly and 12th in the 200-yard freestyle.

Las Cruces High swimmer William Briske recorded the top boys finish among local competitors, placing fourth in the 500-yard freestyle while also finishing ninth in the 200-yard individual medley.

Despite limited numbers, local swimmers produced multiple finals appearances and a state title performance during the two-day championship meet.

NMAA State Swim and Dive 2026 – 2/20/2026 to 2/21/2026

Results – Finals

Girls 50 Yard Freestyle (Finals)

• 1^st Ayala, Dara (Centennial) 24.68

Girls 100 Yard Freestyle (Finals)

[1^st Rosandich, Riley (Albuquerque Academy) 53.95]

• 2^nd Ayala, Dara (Centennial) 54.30

Girls 100 Yard Breaststroke (Finals)

• 12^th Egnaczak, McKenzi (Las Cruces) 1:12.70
• 15^th Richardson, Arabella (Mayfield) 1:14.20

Girls 200 Yard Freestyle (Finals)

• 13^th Richardson, Maliyah (Mayfield) 2:05.68

Girls 200 Yard IM (Finals)

• 13^th Richardson, Arabella (Mayfield) 2:26.10

Girls 500 Yard Freestyle (Finals)

• 10^th Richardson, Maliyah (Mayfield) 5:38.25

Boys 100 Yard Backstroke (Finals)

• 9^th Farrell, James (Centennial) 55.35

Boys 100 Yard Butterfly (Finals)

• 11^th Valencia, Josiah (Centennial) 56.18

Boys 200 Yard Freestyle (Finals)

• 12^th Valencia, Josiah (Centennial) 1:48.99

Boys 200 Yard IM (Finals)

• 7^th Farrell, James (Centennial) 2:05.98
• 9^th Briske, Willliam (Las Cruces) 2:07.92

Boys 500 Yard Freestyle (Finals)

• 4^th Briske, Willliam (Las Cruces) 5:08.48