Ask Maggie Burkhardt if she participates in any sports outside the swim season, and the junior from Denver East is quick to laugh and proclaim her lack of coordination renders such endeavors impossible.
Get Burkhardt into a pool, however, and any sign of her alleged awkwardness evaporates immediately.
The top swimmer in the Denver Prep League, Burkhardt has been collecting league records like souvenirs — a reward for remaining with her neighborhood school despite showing an interest in commuting to suburban swimming power Regis Jesuit.
Although the East Angels will have a difficult time competing in the team standings with Regis Jesuit and Cherry Creek when the Class 5A state girls swimming meet begins Friday in Fort Collins, Burkhardt hopes her continued success will bring more attention to a DPL swim community that typically is overlooked at the state level.
“I definitely want to get top eight (at state),” Burkhardt said. “You always hear about the suburban leagues and teams like Regis and Creek and Fairview, and people forget about little DPS. It makes me feel good that we are a little more recognized now.”
Burkhardt began swimming when she took lessons at Congress Park when she was 9 years old, and her affection for the city has never waned. She considered going to Regis Jesuit, but opted to stay at East, a decision that has led to a thorough rewriting of the DPL record book.
Burkhardt’s two individual victories and one relay victory at the DPL championships last weekend increased her career total of league championships to five individual crowns and six relay titles to go with her four individual league records.
Burkhardt’s mere presence has honed the focus and dedication of the entire Angels team, which has thrilled East co-head coaches Dave Quintana and D. Ray Craft.
“When she was a freshman, her mom called me and told me she was willing to drive her out to Regis every day if that’s what she really wanted,” Quintana said. “She lives 10 blocks from the school (East High), and she said she lives in the district and this is where she wanted to go. A lot of kids won’t do that.
“We have other girls on the relays with her, and they didn’t swim year-round their first two years. But they saw the success Maggie was having, and they went and joined a year-round team.
“That’s the difference she has made. She has had a huge impact on this team all the way across the board.”
Burkhardt, an excellent student who has a 4.5 grade-point average, has drawn interest from such prestigious institutions as the Ivy League’s Brown and Cornell.
Yet Burkhardt remains focused solely on turning in a strong state meet — not only for herself and her team, but for the entire DPL.
“I’m trying to not be as nervous and be as relaxed and calm and be ready to race and support my team,” Burkhardt said. “I’m feeling confident that I can do well.”
Girls swimming
CLASS 5A STATE MEET
Where: Edora Pool and Ice Center, Fort Collins
When: Friday, preliminary heats begin at 4 p.m.; Saturday, diving preliminaries begin at 9 a.m. All finals at 2 p.m.
Swimmers to watch: Bonnie Brandon, Cherry Creek, Jr.; Missy Franklin, Regis Jesuit, So.; Abigail Houck, Fairview, So.; Anna Labozan, Monarch, Sr.; Jordan Mattern, Cherry Creek, Sr.
CLASS 4A STATE MEET
Where: Mountain View High, Loveland
When: Friday, preliminary heats begin at 4 p.m.; Saturday, diving preliminaries begin at 9 a.m. All finals at 2 p.m.
Swimmers to watch: Ashley Forsyth, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Katalena Laufasa-Duncan, Broomfield, Jr.; Mary Saiz, Pueblo South, So.; Mackenzie Stein, Green Mountain, Sr.; Emily Stucky, Montrose, Sr.
This story has been altered in this online archive to clarify swimmer Maggie Burkhardt’s decision to remain at Denver East. Regis Jesuit High School did not “court” Burkhardt. The athlete at one point considered Regis as an alternative to her neighborhood school.
