Colorado's Class 5A swimmers prepare to take Western Slope by storm

Brace yourselves, swimming fans. You're about to hear a downright scary proclamation from Regis Jesuit (Aurora) head coach Mike Doherty.

For two decades, the Raiders have been the No. 1 name in Colorado boys swimming. Since 1992, Regis has collected 19 Class 5A state titles while earning enough gold medals in individual and relay events to seemingly construct a chain between Denver and Grand Junction, where the 2013 5A finals begin Friday.

That scary thought? That would be Doherty's contention that this could be his best Raiders team ever. Everyone will know the answer to that claim after Regis takes aim at its 20th team title this weekend at Mesa State College. The Class 4A finals also begin Friday at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton.

Led by a senior class who were freshmen in 2010 when Highlands Ranch pulled off the once-in-a-generation feat of keeping the Raiders out of first place, the Raiders are poised to add to the program's rich history.

"I don't think I could feel any better about this team. This might be the best team we've ever had," Doherty said. "These seniors were freshmen when we took a hit from Highlands Ranch and I don't think they've ever forgotten that. They've been to a lot of big meets, and it's about as solid a group as you can get."

A number of Raiders standouts are looking to add to Regis' lengthy list of state titlists. Senior Clark Smith is aiming for a fourth consecutive crown in the 100 butterfly. Senior Hennessey Stuart owns the top seed time in the individual medley and the backstroke. And the diving tandem of sophomore Kyle Goodwin and Matt Mauser are looking to repeat the 1-2 finish they put together last year.

Of one concern for Doherty, and likely a majority of the coaches traveling to Grand Junction, is the strain the travel will take on their athletes. Given how hectic schedules tend to be at this time of the season—in the case of Regis Jesuit, the school hosts an academic ceremony that runs late Thursday, and then graduation is Sunday—overcoming a little sleep deprivation and travel-cramped muscles will add a twist to a competition that typically has been held in Fort Collins.

"I'm not anti-Western Slope, but I think there was one swimmer from the Western Slope at state last year, and he transferred to Smoky Hill (Aurora)," Doherty said. "They're dragging the whole state across to the Western Slope. We've been preparing since October for this, getting accommodations and transportation lined up. It has sucked away the whole budget for us and a lot of teams, but I guess it serves its purpose."

One person who didn't raise concerns about the travel was Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) senior Daryl Turner, who hopes to cap his memorable prep career with a final blaze of glory. The Minnesota-bound star has collected four individual state titles and four relay titles, and he will look to add to that collection in the backstroke and the 50 freestyle.

At state last year Turner helped the Bruins establish a new state record in the medley relay while adding two records of his own in the backstroke and 100 freestyle.

"They're on my radar," Turner said of the possibility of new records. "I'm looking to lower my record in the 100 back as much as I can. And I'd love to get the 50 record too. Why not try for another record? I just want to go out with a bang and have as much fun as I can."

While the 5A finals will be dominated by familiar faces, the 4A championships should feature fresh a wide-open team race, bolstered by a fresh batch of state champions. The four swimmers who collected seven of the eight individual state titles last year are gone, leaving 2012 4A butterfly champion Devon Davis from defending team champion Air Academy (US Air Force Academy) as the lone returning titlist.

Diver Cody Engstrom from Broomfield will compete for a second consecutive title, while one of his Eagles teammates, Missouri-bound senior Martin Wallace, is a leading candidate to collect multiple individual medals.

"What I love about the state meet is that it's unpredictable," Air Academy coach Scott Newell said. "There are a lot of underdogs, and everyone loves an underdog. At the 4A meet, as opposed to the 5A meet, the underdogs have a real chance. It should make for an exciting meet."

State schedule

Class 5A state psych sheets

Class 4A state psych sheets