This may come as a shock to many, but the Regis boys swimming and diving team is favored to win the state championship.
Maybe you’ve heard that once, twice or 14 times in a row.
Coach Michael Doherty and his crew have won 15 of the last 16 state titles and put Regis swimming on par with, say, Cherry Creek tennis. It’s that dominant.
The Raiders excel with depth, and lots of it. Senior Jay Kim is the defending champion in the 200-yard individual medley and was on two of the three winning relay teams. Blas Yslas, Alex Reinhardt, Jeff Lassen and Sean McNichol are just a few of the other names to look for at Regis.
Graduation hit the 5A ranks hard last year (most notably Heritage, which lost Mark Dylla). Along with Kim, Fort Collins’ Tyler Bush (200 and 500 freestyle) is the only returning state champion.
In Class 4A, where the team race remains competitive, a new favorite has emerged in Silver Creek.
The Raptors, led by sprint star Nick Koerner, may have what it takes to knock off Northern League foe and three-time defending champion Thompson Valley. Ralston Valley, with double gold medalist Clay Myers (200 IM and 500 free), will look to build off the success of its two-time champion girls team.
Mountain View’s Taylor Sishc won a state diving title as a freshman in 2005, only to watch Conifer’s Ben Grado win the next two seasons. Cherokee Trail’s Jeremey Allison is the defending breaststroke champion.
Boys swimming
Class 5A top five
1. Regis
2. Cherry Creek
3. Fort Collins
4. Fairview
5. Boulder
Class 4A top five
1. Silver Creek
2. Ralston Valley
3. Cheyenne Mountain
4. Thompson Valley
5. Pueblo Centennial
Top returning state placers (both classifications)
Chris Abelein, Loveland, Jr.; Cody Allison, Cherokee Trail, So.; Jeremey Allison, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; Connor Brennan, Heritage, Sr.; Keaton Brown, Greeley West, Jr.; Tyler Bush, Fort Collins, Sr.; Doogie Cohen, Smoky Hill, Sr.; Eric Fischer, Silver Creek, So.; Jay Kim, Regis, Sr.; Nick Koerner, Silver Creek, Sr.; Clay Myers, Ralston Valley, Sr.; Ben Proehl, Thompson Valley, Sr.; Matt Sherrier, Boulder, Sr.; Taylor Sishc, Mountain View, Sr.; Tim Stumbaugh, Mountain View, Sr.; Christian Treat, Conifer, Jr.; Cole Worsley, Moffat County, Jr.
Jon E. Yunt, The Denver Post
