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This week's Peak Performer: Sydney Buckley, Cheyenne Mountain swimming
SWIMMING
Frida Berggren, Lewis-Palmer – Took second place in 5A with an All-American qualifying time in the 200-yard IM and took second in the 100 butterfly.
Laura Day, Lewis-Palmer – Came within .01 seconds of winning the 100 breaststroke at the 5A meet.
Sarah James, Doherty – Finished second behind world-class star Missy Franklin of Regis Jesuit in the 100 backstroke at the 5A meet.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Josh Scott, Lewis-Palmer – Scored 28 points with 10 rebounds in a dominant effort in a titanic clash against Sierra, leading the Rangers to a 45-42 victory.
Ethan Abello, Peyton – Scored 31 points in a 67-58 win over Limon, his fifth 30-point effort of the season.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Bailey Haist, Vanguard – The guard has been the model of consistency for the Coursers, who have won 15 straight. She’s scored double digits in every game this season, including 23 against CSS on Feb. 6, then had nine steals against Miami-Yoder on Friday.
Jessica Milam, Liberty – Poured in 36 points in a 71-69 double overtime loss to Fountain-Fort Carson.
WRESTLING
Jeremy Grooms, Cheyenne Mountain – Voted Outstanding wrestler in a difficult regional at Pueblo South, which he won at 170 ounds.
James Brown, Florence – Won the 182-pound title at his 3A regional with a 27-second pin.
HOCKEY
Andrew Vanderbeck, Lewis-Palmer – Scored three goal as the Rangers overcame a 2-1 deficit to beat Air Academy 4-2.
Brock Ward, Cheyenne Mountain – Scored two goals and assisted on the game-winner in overtime as the Indians upset Lewis-Palmer.
Cheyenne Mountain sophomore Sydney Buckley touched first in the 100-yard butterfly Saturday in the state finals in Thornton in 57.26 seconds, making her the region’s only individual champion this year in 4A or 5A. She probably would have laughed at anyone suggesting she’d go from 12th in the state to champion in one year.
SEE PHOTOS OF EVERY PEAK PERFORMER FROM THIS SCHOOL YEAR
“I wasn’t expecting this at all,” Buckley said. “Actually, the breaststroke is my stroke. It was strange to go 57 (seconds) at the Hornet Invite in January. My fastest time had been a 59. That was my turning point.”
Buckley came from behind to win the title, overcoming a solid race by Pueblo West’s Haley Bertoldo and winning by .27 seconds. Buckley, Bertoldo and Air Academy’s Andrea Rice all finished in a span of one-half of a second.
“As long as I stayed strong in the first half, I could give it my all in the back half and just kill it,” Buckley said. “And that’s what I did. Winning is great, but it’s nice to have those girls around to push me to go faster.”
QUICK HITS
What’s the “aftermath” of winning a state title?
I went downstairs the next morning and saw the paper, which was pretty cool. It wasn’t long after when my phone just started blowing up, with texts and Facebook posts.
What do you do to relax?
When I get a chance, I like a fun movie like "Madagascar." It's nice to sit down and get away from the world for a little while.
Did you have a reward for winning a state title?
My grandma made us rum cake, so we had that on the bus on the way back. That was cool to share with the team.
Who would you want to visit from history and why?
I think I would like to sit down with Ronald Reagan, so see how he did his job and how he made the tough decisions. He would be fun to talk to.
How far back do you and swimming go?
My parents (Lisalynn and Thom) went to the lake a lot before I was born and knew it was necessary to know how to swim. Before I turned 1, I was in the water. I haven’t stopped since.
What’s the future have in store for you?
First, I turn 16 on March 6 and can't want to take my driver's test. After high school, I definitely want to go as far in swimming as I can. I want to do something with sports, maybe be a coach get into strength and conditioning. I want to study kinesiology in college.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Best "Madagascar" character
(x) King Julien XIII ( ) Alex ( ) Marty ( ) Gloria
Favorite/most inspirational swimmer
( ) Phelps ( ) Franklin (x) Shanteau ( ) Torres
Make of dream car
( ) BMW (x) Land Rover ( ) Audi ( ) Cadillac
Other top water activity
( ) wakeboarding ( ) Jet Skiing ( ) aerobics (x) surfing
