Past continues to drove Christian Feiler's swimming future

Christian Feiler has made no secret of the fact that he wasn't satisfied with the way his junior season ended.

The Boulder standout came away from the Class 5A state swimming and diving championships last May with fourth- and sixth-place finishes and was part of the Panthers' runner-up 200-yard medley relay team. That wasn't exactly the ending that Feiler had envisioned for himself when the season began.

Now a senior, Feiler has all the motivation he needs for one last run at a state title. But while claiming a championship – something that has never been done in Boulder boys swimming, as far as 17-year coach Curt Colby can recollect – would be a dream come true, more importantly it would lead to something even better for the Panthers.

"This season we've kind of talked about changing the culture of Boulder High swimming and starting a legacy, so to speak," Feiler said. "To be able to have the first team to have a state champion – whether it's an individual or a relay – that would be huge because that would kind of show the younger kids what's expected and what can be achieved when you work hard."

Working hard is something that Feiler and his teammates have been all about this season. That effort was showcased March 21 at the Dick Rush Memorial at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton, the site of last year's state meet.

Feiler joined Chris Nicholson, Mick Bartholomew and P J Stapleton in claiming the 200 medley relay with a time of 1 minute, 34.45 seconds. Feiler went on to win both the 50 (21.02 seconds) and 100 freestyle (45.96) events as well.

Colby says he sees even more dedication to swimming this year, to the extent that the Princeton-bound Feiler opted not to play basketball this winter.

"He's talented, but he's about working hard and he's kind of a quiet and humble kid in some ways," Colby said. "He's not the showboat kind of guy. He really goes about his business and does what he wants and doesn't try to bring the focus all to him."

After taking fourth in the 50 free at state last May and sixth in the 100 backstroke, Feiler admitted that the fire was lit walking out of the VMAC.

"I was really optimistic about last year and hoping for big things, but that didn't happen," he said. "It was really hard for the first couple of days, but I realized I can use this to my advantage and do everything I can to come back (this) May and do the best I can."

The Panthers graduated only one senior off last year's team and returned a squad loaded with state experience. Nicholson finished fifth in the 100 backstroke and 10th in the 100 free, Stapleton placed sixth in the 100 butterfly and Bartholomew was 11th in the 200 individual medley. Nathan Rock also took 11th in the 500 freestyle.

With returners like Morgan Lewis, Liam Kelly and Caelan Thom, and the addition of freshmen like Quinton Pierce, optimism abounds for Boulder.

Feiler said the squad has built a good family environment and it's shown so far this season. That's especially evident with the 200 medley relay, which had an Automatic All-American time in the event at state but still finished second to Regis Jesuit (Aurora).

"Obviously in relays, tenths and hundredths of seconds matter. Those relay exchanges have to be perfect," Feiler said. "The chemistry is really important … you have to know each other so well, and us being such good friends it made it easy for us to do that."

Having finished tied for sixth as a team in 2014, the obvious goal for the Panthers is to keep trending upward. Colby said the highest showing for one of his teams is fourth overall.

"We're hoping to break that record and get into the top three," he said "Some other teams have so much depth that it's hard to win something like that. But it would be great if they could be top three."