GREENWOOD VILLAGE — Amazing things can happen in the water.
It’s where Eric Craven grew from a boy born with a profound hearing loss to a collegiate swimmer and a member of the United States team at the 1977 World Games for the Deaf in Romania.
It’s where Craven, now in his 18th season as coach of Cherry Creek’s prestigious girls team, presides over an aquatic army of athletes who have gladly taken up the mantle of a program that has won 23 team titles of the 35 sanctioned seasons.
And although a 24th title — and fifth straight — is the primary task, these Bruins have been concentrating more on the number 392.5. That is the record number of points, set by Cherry Creek’s 1998 squad, scored at the state swimming championships.
“I believe this team will beat that record. I really do,” Craven said. “They’re very talented, and we’ve got quality plus quantity. Only time will tell, but I think they could go down as one of the best ever. The nice thing is we’re not senior-loaded. We’re pretty well spread out.”
That’s true, from the senior experience and leadership of Loren Brandon, Morgan Kimminau, Katie Keller and Jordyn Ambrosich to the raw speed and power of freshmen Kelly Naze and Bonnie Brandon, who placed 14th in 200-meter backstroke at the Olympic Trials (and cooled down in the same lane as Michael Phelps) last year.
At the annual Coaches Association Invitational last month, the Bruins cruised to first place by rolling up 314 points against potential title challengers Fairview, Regis, Ralston Valley and Arapahoe.
And what of the pressure that comes with joining a machine-like group? It’s nonexistent — at least in the traditional sense.
“Eric always sets the bar high, but everyone knows we can’t disappoint him if we try our hardest,” Ambrosich said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever swam with such a great pressure on my shoulders,” New Mexico State recruit Kimminau said.
That’s where Craven’s abilities really shine. Amazing things happen in the water because Craven has a way of tapping his team’s potential through a simple blend of honest communication and encouraging his athletes to swim all the strokes rather than specializing.
Not only does that unlock hidden talents and expand potential, it ensures the Bruins their unrivaled depth in nearly all events.
“I just believe everybody should be good enough to swim everything so you can fill in the blanks and help out the team,” Craven said.
That is how Craven was taught when he swam at South High School and was a two-time team MVP before going to Western State.
The water is something Craven just took to, not many years after the degree of his hearing loss was diagnosed when he was 3.
Craven has worn two hearing aids since he was a child, a bold decision in a time when there was much debate over whether he should learn sign language or make do by reading lips.
He estimates he hears about 90 percent of what is said. His speech, however, is his greatest strength, and it seems to make amazing things happen at Cherry Creek.
“He just always has the right thing to say,” Minnesota recruit Loren Brandon said.
Swimming’s up the Creek
Cherry Creek’s girls swimming and diving program has been dominant since Colorado sanctioned the sport in 1973. The Bruins’ 23 team titles:
1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1991 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2005 2006 2007 2008
