The two biggest fish from last season will be swimming in the same bowl this time.
Defending Class 4A state champion Regis voluntarily made the jump up to 5A. Waiting for the Raiders – and Fairview, Grandview, Arapahoe, Palmer and all the others – will be two-time defending champion Cherry Creek.
The Bruins will be chasing their 22nd big-school team title at the girls state swimming and diving championships, a three-day event at Edora Pool/Ice Center in Fort Collins.
“No doubt Cherry Creek is strong, but Fairview is right there,” Chatfield coach Ron Johns said. “The 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay are going to be cooking. Those races could decide the meet between Cherry Creek and Fairview.”
The 5A prelims begin at 9 a.m. Friday with finals slated for 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The 4A prelims start at 4 p.m. today with finals at 5 p.m. Friday.
Cherry Creek senior Michelle Menezes is a slight favorite over Fairview’s Julia Giehl in the 200-yard freestyle, but Giehl should control the 500 freestyle.
Chatfield senior Maiya Otsuka finished third at state in the 200 individual medley last year. Osaka is the heavy favorite in that race this year, and she also is looking for a title in the 100 butterfly.
“(Otsuka’s) a beast,” Dakota Ridge coach Pat Burke said. “Someone is going to have to come in and take it away from her.”
Samantha Dole won a state title as part of the Highlands Ranch 200 medley relay team, but she has turned her sights to an individual championship, or championships. She is the top seed by narrow margins in the 50 and 100 freestyle.
Kyla Dahlquist of Mountain Vista should threaten Dole in the 100, and, as always, anything can happen in the lightning-fast 50 freestyle. Rampart’s Jenna Gregoire, Air Academy’s Jessica Moon, Regis’ Kristen Schmid and Pine Creek’s Sarah Page have posted times below the 25-second mark.
Hoyt Brauner Award winner Annie Perizzolo of Smoky Hill will challenge Emily Kuhr of Dakota Ridge, Addie Johnson of Mountain Vista and Rampart freshman Kyrene Clarke in the 100 breaststroke.
Lindsay Zeberlein of Mountain Vista will attempt to hold off Grandview’s Brittney Martinez in the 100 backstroke.
While there are no returning individual champions in 5A, three swimmers will try to defend their 4A titles.
Mullen’s Caroline Shea is favored to repeat in the 200 freestyle. She also is the top seed in the 100 freestyle with the absence of last season’s champion, Emily McDonald of Glenwood Springs.
McDonald, who won the 100 and 50 freestyle races, will not defend her titles because of an injured shoulder.
Broomfield sophomore Kia Dobie returns as the 500 freestyle champion with eyes on the 200 individual medley title, and Kirsten Milberg of Rock Canyon will battle Brandie Kavalec of Mountain View for a second title in the 100 backstroke.
The relay races are wide open with Regis’ move up to 5A. Rock Canyon, Mullen, Fossil Ridge and Ralston Valley will look to fill the void.
Defending 200 medley relay champion Estes Park could claim two of the relays.
