FORT COLLINS — Success in a swimming career is determined by how many months are devoted to intense practice.
What defines an athlete, however, are the comparatively tiny tick-tick-ticks of a stopwatch, especially at important meets where the intensity of the pool can often boost performance.
Feeling the edge gained from all that hard work Friday was Cherry Creek High School junior Jordan Mattern, who set a Class 5A record in the 200-yard freestyle and was .02 seconds from another mark during preliminaries of the big-school state championships at the Edora Pool and Ice Center.
Mattern broke an 18-year-old record in the 200 with her time of 1 minute, 49.25 seconds and was within a whisper of the 100 free mark at 50.79.
“I’ve grown as a swimmer. I’ve been to more year-round big meets, and I’ve learned to deal with the pressure in a more positive way than last year,” she said. “My friends and I have talked about how it’s so much faster. I just like to race, and I don’t like to get beat. That motivates me. I had a lot of motivation for (the 200), and I’m glad it paid off.”
Mattern likely took added drive from how last year’s 200 unfolded, in which she was touched out by teammate Loren Brandon for the crown.
“Last year, she had the race won, and her teammate snuck in past her. I’m sure that just ate her alive,” said Bruins coach Eric Craven, whose team is looking for its sixth consecutive 5A team title. “I’m sure it stuck with her from last February through today. She’s smarter about it — she saved her legs for more at the end. She took a negative and made it into a positive.”
Mattern, also in the record books from 2009’s 400 freestyle relay, remains thrilled to be part of a dominant team.
“After both my races, I didn’t look at the clock — I looked at my teammates and coaches,” she said. “This meet, I’m swimming more for them. The times are a bonus.
“I love all the girls, and this is my home away from home. I’ll miss the seniors when they go off.”
Cherry Creek’s Kelly Naze set a state mark in the 100 butterfly at 54.44; teammate Christine Wixted echoed that with a 1:02.68 in the 100 breaststroke.
Regis Jesuit freshman Missy Franklin leveled two records on the day, going 22.70 in the 50 freestyle and 53.43 in the 100 backstroke.
Today’s finals begin at 2 p.m.
