Fort Collins – Record-setting diver Aaron Feight of Arapahoe couldn’t say if diabetes has held back his progress because, well, he has dealt with the condition for most of his high school career.
“I never know how to answer that because that’s who I am,” said Feight, who was diagnosed with the condition as a sophomore. “Sometimes in training I’ll get a little low (on his blood sugar count), and have to take a break.”
Nothing could stop Feight on Saturday at the Class 5A Swimming and Diving Championships at the Edora Pool Ice Center. Displaying power off the board and a smooth entry, Feight obliterated his state record, scoring a total of 608.20 points for 11 dives.
“All I can say is I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Feight said. “I wouldn’t change anything.”
As expected in the team competition, Regis notched its 11th consecutive state title. The Raiders flexed their superior depth with 21 qualifiers, including one individual champion, senior Chris Good, in the 100- yard backstroke.
Regis scored 390 points and coasted to the title. Arapahoe was a distant second with 272 points.
“People ask me if it ever gets old,” Regis coach Michael Doherty said, “but look at all the energy these kids have. It’s electric. This isn’t going to last forever, but it’s great until it does.”
Three swimmers earned a pair of gold medals. Washington-bound Tom Kozaczynski of Monarch (100 breaststroke, 50 freestyle), Smoky Hill senior Kevin Ellis (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle) and Heritage sophomore Mark Dylla (200 individual medley, 100 butterfly). The coaches named Ellis, bound for Dartmouth, as the meet’s outstanding swimmer.
The meet produced only one state record. That belonged to Feight.
The University of Denver-bound Feight broke a 10-year state record last year with 574.65 points.
“I finally had a consistent meet; until today, I really didn’t think I had a good season,” Feight said. “Maybe I was getting a little ‘senioritis.’ I think I was getting a little tired of high school. But now it’s hard, knowing that was my last high school meet.”
At DU, Feight will be coached by Jeff Carter, who coached Feight at Arapahoe two years ago. Feight also considered offers from Texas, Virginia, Minnesota and Arizona.
“With the diabetes, I didn’t want to change doctors and move out of state; that would be hard,” Feight said. “But the main thing is DU just felt right. You’re going to see DU (be a factor) in swimming and diving.”
Kozaczynski successfully defended his state title in the 50 freestyle. His time of 21.35 seconds narrowly missed matching his winning time of 21.34 a year ago.
Dylla challenged a state record in the 100 butterfly. But his time of 49.39 was just off the 49.36 set in 2000 by Luke Wagner of Regis.
“It’s tough to say you’re state champion in two events and you’re disappointed,” Dylla said. “I won, but that wasn’t my goal. I wanted state records. I just didn’t come home. I didn’t kick it into gear in the end.”
Staff writer Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
