Loveland – A win is a win, no matter how or when it comes.
But there was momentum to be gained in the Mountain View Invitational on Saturday at the Mountain View Aquatic Center, with just four weeks remaining in the state swimming season.
“This is nice and a lot of fun, but the main competition is people at state: (Heritage’s) Mark Dylla, (Cherry Creek’s) Matt Voell and (Regis’) Jay Kim if he swims it,” said Arapahoe sophomore Brian Krump, who swam to victory in the 100-yard butterfly.
“This was my best time by a half-second, so that really helps my confidence.”
Krump and the Warriors finished second in the 18-team chase. Fort Collins, led by victories in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays, finished first with 451 points. Arapahoe was second with 381, and Thompson Valley third with 268.
In addition to the relay victories, the Lambkins accounted for four individual event victories. Junior Tyler Bush, who two weeks ago in the same pool captured the 500 free title at the Dick Rush Invitational, won the 200 and 100 freestyle events, each by four seconds.
Tyler Coolman won the 100 backstroke, edging 200 individual medley champion and teammate Jacob Evans by 0.4 of a second.
“That was fun. Jacob and I have been friends for a long time,” said Coolman, whose heat included two other Lambkins swimmers. “I was a little frustrated with my butterfly earlier and just simply wanted to go faster.”
Silver Creek sprinter Nick Koerner, with his size 15 feet, was the only person to break the 22-second mark in the 50. The Raptors junior, who also won the event at the Dick Rush, blistered the field with a 21.97.
“I’ve been working this whole week on trying to get my turns faster,” said Koerner, who has visions of a 21.4 this season. “A couple of months ago I was going 21.8, and it’s kind of frustrating not being close to that level. Finally getting back into the 21’s is pretty exciting for me.”
Taylor Sishc, along with 100 backstroke champ Tim Stumbaugh, held serve for the host Mountain Lions. Sishc, a junior, ran away from the diving field with a score of 541.25. Thompson Valley’s Greg Conway was a distant second with 462.95.
“I’m pretty happy with that,” said Sishc, who earlier this season broke Tom Buggs’ 37-year-old city of Loveland six-dive point total record (333.50), with a score of 341.85. “It’s my home pool, and it’s always nice to win.”
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
