The Cherry Creek team and Fort Collins senior Carley Beaudreau head the list of girls who will converge on the Edora Pool Ice Center in Fort Collins for the three-day Class 5A and 4A girls state swimming and diving championships, starting today with both classifications competing at the same venue.
“It will make Fort Collins a busy place to be,” said Suzanne Beski, coach of defending 4A team champion Mullen.
Beaudreau, who set a state record in the 200-yard individual medley as a freshman, is favored in the 500 freestyle and the 200 IM. But there will be plenty of speed and stamina around her, led by Cherry Creek stars. Caitlin Iversen and teammate Jessica Rodriguez edged Beaudreau in the 200 IM last season, Rodriguez won the 500 freestyle and Natasha Menezes took the 200 freestyle. Menezes, who has the state record in the 100 freestyle, holds the fastest times of the season in the 100 and 200 freestyle. Iversen is the front- runner in the 100 backstroke.
Cherry Creek, owner of 21 team titles in girls swimming, is the favorite to repeat.
“Cherry Creek always has a strong team. They always show up to race,” said Fort Collins coach Lissa Fischer, who swam for Bruins coach Eric Craven in high school.
Highlands Ranch should be a contender with three swimmers capable of winning titles. Lisa Caprioglio (100 butterfly), Samantha Dole (50 freestyle) and Colleen Schweitzer (100 breaststroke) own the season’s fastest qualifying times in their respective events.
In 4A, Beski said not to look for her Mustangs to breeze to a title like they did last season.
“If another title is in store, we’ll have to get by Ralston Valley and Regis,” Beski said. “Whoever wins will not do it by the margin we had.”
Unlike the bigger schools, 4A’s individual races will not be dominated by a few schools.
However, the Mustangs’ Jennifer Muniz, defending champion in the 500 freestyle and the 100 butterfly, and Caroline Shea in the 200 freestyle, will have to be contended with.
Other top swimmers include Daniel Gonzales of St. Mary’s Academy, who put up the fastest times of the season in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke, and Emily McDonald of Glenwood Springs in the 50 and 100 freestyles. In the meet’s longest race, the 500 freestyle, Broomfield freshman Kia Dobie and Fossil Ridge sophomore Shannon Garlie could win a title.
Mullen, Ralston Valley, Regis, Thompson Valley and D’Evelyn have the potential to win at least one of the three relay events.
