The ever-present timer that continuously creeps toward a set goal can be invigorating. Time is always on the move, flipping closer to a desired time. It doesn’t stop.

And there are no do overs. It's time to find that extra gear.

A lower spot on the podium than desired a year before can be used as fuel. Personal goals written down become a mantra. Visualizing success as the hand hits the wall can free an athlete to perform at a peak level.

The means by which an athlete reaches a goal is varied as it is difficult, especially when it is something as important and satisfying as winning an individual state swim title.

There were more than 100 athletes attempting to achieve that goal Saturday at the Arizona Division III Swim and Dive meet, which was held at the Dady Aquatic & Tennis Center at Phoenix Country Day School in Paradise Valley.

The girls team championship went to Phoenix Country Day with 276 points, while ALA Gilbert North at 263.50 and Notre Dame with 242.50 were close. The top five was rounded out by Chandler Prep (209) and Gilbert Christian (189).

Tanque Verde were the boys team championat 257 closely followed by Notre Dame at 254 and Gilbert Classical at 244. Trivium Prep (229) and Chandler Prep (228) finished out the top five.

The motivation, desire, time put in for success at the state level differs, and the way each individual goes about it can do with past performance, future goals and battling that stop watch when the athlete hits the water.

There’s no turning back at that point.

So what separates the champion from the runner-up?

A lot of times it not quite finishing high enough on the podium as they would have liked the year prior, and it means about 365 days have to go by before they get a shot at redemption.

Two examples of this are ALA Gilbert North junior Cecilia Quihuiz and Notre Dame Prep senior Alex Minarich, who won two events each.

Quihuiz was battling herself and her past performance in the 200-yard IM. She finished second in the state in the event as a sophomore and freshman but had a better time as a freshman.

It’s hard to compute as a young athlete. Second place is still successful, but she didn’t get better in her mind.

So she set out to change that.

In her bedroom is a whiteboard with time goals listed for her different events. She sees it when she wakes up, when she gets home from practice and before she goes to bed.

Apparently, that time was 1 minute and 53.85 seconds.

“I nailed my time exactly,” she said with a smile with first-place medal around my neck. “I kind of had that set back last year. I didn’t want to do that again.”

Minarich story varies a little bit, but he also finished at the top of the podium after falling short last season. He took third in the 200-yard IM a year ago and was determined to make up for it.

He came into the meet with the best time and he had the lead through the first two legs, but Tanque Verde’s Wade Olsson passed him in the third leg as they hit the wall before finishing it off with the freestyle portion to finish the grueling event.

“I saw he was in front of me, and I couldn’t let it happen,” Minarich said. “I thought ‘He thinks there’s hope and I got to make sure there is none.’ I did five dolphin kicks, about two more than usual, to make sure I finished a second faster.”

His hand hit the well less than a second before Olsson, and that’s exactly what Minarich envisioned.

He won the event at 1:56.77, while Olsson touched at 1:57.78.

Like many high performing athletes, Minarich uses mental imagery before meets to ensure a sense of calm before an event. If he sees himself being successful – a clean dive entry into the water, hitting the wall turn precisely, digging deeper to win a race - it frees him to do perform well.

And final thing he evnsions is his hand touching the wall.

It became reality Saturday – as it did for many – for Quihuiz and Minarich.

Quihuiz also won the 500 free at 5:07.34, while Minarich won the 100 backstroke in :51.96.

Other invidiuals champs for the girls were Pusch Ridge's Reagan Edquid in the 200 IM (2:04.53) and 100 breast (103.76), Phoenix Country Day's Olivia Singer in the 50 free (23.57), Yuma Catholic's Ryan Webb in the 100 butterfly (56.45) and 100 back (57.58), Paradise Honors' Aubrielle Stearns in the 100 free (51.17),  and Phoenix Country Day's Julia Root won the 1-meter diving (504.95 points).

On the boys side, Trivium Prep's Alexander Alexanderovich won the 200 free (1:42.23) and the 100 breast (57.40), Shadow Mountain's Kadyn Hysong won the 50 free (21.28) and the 100 butterfly (51.63), Paradise Honors' Austin Hargreaves in the 100 free (46.84), Phoenix Country Day's Marcus Rawner in the 500 free (4:50.95) and ALA Gilbert North's Evan Collins won the 1-meter diving at 372.45.

Winning hits different after getting through so many variables, mental and physical, to stand at the top of the podium with the medal around the neck.

“My main goal was to finish as strong as I can and I did,” Minarich said. “I am happy I won this medal. It shows me what I can do when I perform at my best.”

Quihuiz had similar sentiments and she was proud to have that medal around her neck and her position on the highest spot on the podium when the familiar Olympic music played.

“It’s means the world to me,” Quihuiz said. “It’s tough competition and it’s really nice to see that No. 1 by your name.”