Lewis-Palmer, Cheyenne Mountain like their chances in an attention-grabbing state swim weekend

Lewis-Palmer’s swim team, along with all of the other 5A state qualifiers in girls’ swimming, will be part of something it has never experienced this weekend.

All of the talented swimmers and divers from the Colorado Springs area have never seen a media frenzy like they will encounter Friday and Saturday in Fort Collins. But that’s what happens when an Olympic qualifier and world-record holder is swimming at the meet.

Missy Franklin, the junior phenom from Regis Jesuit, will attract state and nationwide attention, including coverage of the finals on ESPN3 online.

“There is a buzz and an excitement that we’re all feeling because we know how big this meet will be,” Lewis-Palmer coach Alan Arata said. “We just have to be ready to go during qualifying on Friday.”

While Franklin is a lock – barring injury – to win the individual events she will enter, the teams that will most likely be toward the top of the leader board come Saturday night are L-P, Fossil Ridge, Cherry Creek and Fairview.

The Rangers have a solid and well-rounded lineup of girls that will compete for a team title. Led by Laura Day (state-best qualifying time of 1:03.67 in the 100 breaststroke), Frida Berggren and Karin Roh, L-P will have a good look at a top-three finish and possibly a state championship.

“We have a lot of girls in position to score points, including having three divers at the state meet,” Arata said.

“We put Frida in events that she has only done once this season and she will place higher than her qualifying time, and we’re hoping Karin can move up in both of her events. Our relays are in very good shape as well, and we’ll have a good chance if we can have a strong day Friday.”

On the 4A side, Cheyenne Mountain is looking to improve on its fourth-place finish last season. The Indians missed being in the top three by just five points, and coach Kate Doane is looking for improvement.

“We have seven of the 12 girls going to state in the top 16, and we have some room to move and get faster,” said Doane, who echoed Arata’s sentiment of needing a strong day Friday. “We need a lot of the girls in the sprint events to swim well on Friday, and then we’ll have to step up big time if we want to win the state title.”

Emily Bauer (third in the 200 freestyle), Sydney Buckley (first in the 100 butterfly) and Catherine Roach (fourth in the 100 breaststroke) will lead the way as the Indians look to capture their first team state title in more than a decade.