Cherry Creek girls swimming coach Eric Craven sometimes chuckles when he recalls the attempts senior Jordan Mattern made at mastering the breaststroke when she joined the Bruins’ program three years ago.
The ultratalented Mattern hardly was a fish out of water, yet it was clear the breaststroke was not her strongest stroke. That probably still is the case, but after three years of training in a Creek program that stresses versatility, freestyle specialist Mattern, perhaps the top returning swimmer in Class 5A this side of Regis Jesuit sophomore Missy Franklin, has evolved into an all-around force.
“I was teasing her the other day about her breaststroke when she was a freshman,” Craven said. “Now, lo and behold, she could probably be top eight in that. I’ll bet we could get her to place in diving if we wanted to.”
Mattern is the defending 5A state champion in the 100 and 200 freestyles, having set a 5A record in the 100 while establishing a Colorado standard in the 200 (1:48.82). Craven, however, is not certain Mattern will attempt to defend her crown in those events, given her versatility and the potential holes in the Bruins’ lineup.
Cherry Creek is the defending state champion — the Bruins claimed that prize for the 13th time in Craven’s 19 seasons — but will begin the season ranked No. 2 behind Regis Jesuit, in large part because of the uncertain injury situation of junior Kelly Naze. The reigning Colorado record-holder in the breaststroke and butterfly, Naze suffered a back injury that will sideline her until late January, if not longer.
Without Naze, the versatility of Mattern and junior Bonnie Brandon, the Colorado record-holder in the individual medley and 500 freestyle, will loom large for the Bruins.
“I really don’t know where (Mattern) will swim,” Craven said. “Her and Bonnie are so versatile, they can do everything. They probably will go wherever the team needs them most.”
Class 5A top teams
1. Regis Jesuit
2. Cherry Creek
3. Fairview
4. Smoky Hill
5. Heritage
5A swimmers to watch
Elizabeth Anderson, Fairview, Jr.
Bonnie Brandon, Cherry Creek, Jr.
Laura Day, Lewis-Palmer, Jr.
Missy Franklin, Regis Jesuit, So.
Anna Lazoban, Monarch, Sr.
Jordan Mattern, Cherry Creek, Sr.
Kelly Naze, Cherry Creek, Jr.
Caroline Piehl, Smoky Hill, Sr.
Lauren Stoeckle, Regis Jesuit, Jr.
Alex Todd, Regis Jesuit, Sr.
Class 4A top teams
1. Thompson Valley
2. Cheyenne Mountain
3. Mountain View
4. Broomfield
5. Montrose
4A swimmers to watch
Hannah Abelein, Mtn. View, Sr.
Ashley Forsyth, Cheyenne Mtn., Sr.
Sydnee King, Thompson Valley, So.
Katalena Laufasa-Duncan, Broomfield, Jr.
Lexi Malazdrewicz, Evergreen, So.
Sam Moss, Thompson Valley, Sr.
Mary Saiz, Pueblo South, So.
Heather Shaver, Broomfield, Jr.
Emily Stucky, Montrose, Sr.
Danielle Wahl, Cheyenne Mtn., Sr.
