What can the boys swimmers possibly do for an encore to last month’s girls state swimming meet?
“That’s probably untoppable,” said Lewis-Palmer coach Alan Arata of the impressive display put on by the Cherry Creek girls team and freshman phenom Missy Franklin of Regis Jesuit. “Swimming in Colorado is at an all-time high right now for both the boys and the girls.”
The defending Class 4A champion boys from Monument are hoping to make an even bigger splash than they did last season. An impressive list of opponents, which includes a dual meet at 15-time defending Class 5A champion Regis Jesuit, marks a schedule that has Arata dreaming bigger.
“Every year there is a mythical national championship, taken from only state times,” Arata said, “and we want to score some points in that.”
The Rangers’ balanced team is led by Arata’s younger son, Ryan, who last year was a state champion in the 100-yard butterfly and backstroke. Add in seniors Patrick Cardillo and Jeremy Hayes, along with divers Spencer Flores and Philip Gifford, and the Rangers have the depth to put up some big numbers.
Lewis-Palmer will get a chance at Class 5A’s big guns — Regis and Highlands Ranch — on March 20 at the Dick Rush Invitation at EPIC in Fort Collins.
“We want to prove that we are the top team in Colorado and not just in 4A. We want a chance to try to beat Regis and Highlands Ranch,” Arata said. “That’s why our schedule is the way it is. It keeps us going.”
Of note, the reigning swimmer of the year — Legacy’s Steve Schmuhl, who already had four state championships — will not swim for the high school team to prepare for the national circuit.
Boys swimming preview
Start of season: Thursday, March 4
State championships: May 21-22, Class 5A: EPIC (Fort Collins); 4A: Mountain View Aquatic Center (Loveland)
Class 5A
Top five teams: 1. Regis Jesuit; 2. Highlands Ranch; 3. Cherry Creek; 4. Boulder; 5. George Washington.
Athletes to watch:
Nick Beaulieu, Regis Jesuit, Sr.
Spencer Fronk, Cherry Creek, Sr.
Ben Holston, G. Washington, Jr.
Dan Jurgs, G. Washington, Sr.
Matt Long, Regis Jesuit, Sr.
Jared Markham, Cherry Creek, Jr.
Kyle Milberg, Highlands Ranch, Sr.
Nathan Moyer, Ralston Valley, Sr.
Kyle Noser, Highlands Ranch, Sr.
Jake O’Hair, Boulder, Jr.
Class 4A
Top five teams: 1, Lewis-Palmer; 2. Cheyenne Mountain; 3. Fossil Ridge; 4. Wheat Ridge; 5. Longmont.
Athletes to watch:
Ryan Arata, Lewis-Palmer, So.
Patrick Cardillo, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.
Connor Dwyer, Longmont, So.
Sawyer Franz, Conifer, Jr.
Travis Hartman, T. Valley, Sr. (diver)
Tanner Krall, Pueblo South, Sr.
Eric May, Arvada, Jr.
Pat Scally, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.
Alex Tooley, Fossil Ridge, Jr.
P.J. Wickwire, Mullen, Jr.
