It speaks to a program's depth when a top-five finish at the state swimming and diving championships doesn't include a state title.
But depth is exactly what propelled the Fairview (Boulder) and Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) girls swim programs a year ago. While state champion Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins) dominated the state meet with three individual champions and two winning relays, the Knights and Bruins were putting together strong performances of their own.
Fairview placed third behind Fossil Ridge and Regis Jesuit (Aurora), followed by Cherry Creek. Needless to say, having a deep program and some state experience will be big keys headed into the 2015-16 season.
"We don't have as many top swimmers who are going to win events, but we've got lots of depth. I think we have over 20 state qualifiers returning," said Fairview coach Bob Smartt, who already has five individuals who have signed to swim at the collegiate level next year. "We've got good freshmen coming in … so our challenge is to turn that kind of depth into more points at state."
Fossil Ridge and Regis Jesuit are early favorites headed into the winter campaign. The SaberCats graduated Bailey Nero – winner of two individual events and a member of two winning relays – but return standout junior Bailey Kovac and a number of other state qualifiers. Kovac won the 100-yard breaststroke and was on the two winning relays.
Regis Jesuit captured the 200 free relay title and was runner-up in the 200 medley relay. Each of the team's three relays featured only one senior. McKensi Austin returns after taking the 1-meter diving crown.
ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch) and Arapahoe (Centennial) each graduated swimmers who claimed two titles last winter, with Annie Ochitwa and Ella Moynihan departing. Rock Canyon (Highlands Ranch) senior and Wisconsin-bound Abigail Kochevar (100 breaststroke) is the only other returning champion.
Fairview had seven top-five finishes, including a pair of relays. Brittney Beetcher placed second in the 200 and 500 free to Moynihan and was a member of two relays.
"She's critical to our success. Not only will she be competing in the 500 and 200 free, but we've lost eight of our 12 relays swimmers," said Smartt, whose team will host Fossil Ridge in a dual Dec. 15. "She's sort of the bedrock of the 200 and 400 free relays. Her importance is not just individual events, but helping us build relays."
Cherry Creek finished in the top five in all three relays, which were dominated by underclassmen.
The 5A state meet takes place Feb. 12-13 at EPIC in Fort Collins. The Colorado Invitational, which includes top programs from 5A and 4A, is Dec. 19 at VMAC in Thornton.
Class 4A
Like its 5A counterpart, the top programs in 4A are also infused with youth and depth.
Evergreen rolled to the state championship last February, but graduated a number of talented seniors – including Lindsay Morrow, who claimed the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke, along with anchoring the winning 400 free relay team.
The Cougars have two state champions back in Kate McDonald (500 free) and Katelyn Kenchel (400 free relay).
Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs), the runner-up a year ago, had a state champion in freshman Cat Wright in the 100 butterfly. Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) has 50 free champion Brooke Stenstrom, headed to Stanford, along with its entire lineup in all three relays – including the winning 200 free relay team.
Manitou Springs is in the same situation after not losing anyone off its state champion 200 medley relay and runner-up 200 free relay.
The 4A state meet is Feb. 12-13 at VMAC in Thornton.
