PHOENIX -- Maureen Rankin –  a star among Arizona’s up-and-coming young coaching corps and an outstanding swimmer in her own right - passed away early Monday morning evening, after waging an intense battle with cancer.  She was 47.

She leaves behind her husband, Mark Rankin, and two children: Mia, 14, and Luke 11.

Growing up in Oregon, “Mo” first made her mark in swimming as a young age-grouper.  She earned All-America honors in high school, winning a full scholarship to the University of Arizona, where she collected All-America accolades seven times. 

After graduation, she began coaching young age-groupers, while competing and coaching at the Masters level.  At the same time, she worked in the marketing department of Swimming World magazine for two years before being appointed head coach at Xavier College Prep.  Her first season as coach was to have begun on Monday.

A full Memorial Service will be held at Xavier Prep High School, 718 North 5^th Street on Saturday at 3:00 pm.

--by Phillip Whitten