PEAK PERFORMER: Julie Henninger, Rampart swimming

By qualifying for the 5A state meet in two events as a freshman, Rampart’s Julie Henninger gave herself a hard act to follow in her sophomore season.

She’d have it no other way.

“She’s doing well about setting personal goals and trying to be the best team swimmer she can be,” Rampart swimming coach Pat Burch said. “I appreciate that. She’s very good at staying who she is, no matter how well she does in the pool.”

The Rampart swimmer continued to build on her early season success last week, touching first in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke, as well as helping the Rams to titles in the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay in a dual Dec. 18 against Doherty.

Days before at the Pikes Peak Relays at the Rampart pool, she anchored winning efforts in the 200 and 400 free relays.

“I’ve set goals based on placing and have improved to get better times,” Henninger said. “Placing high can help the other competitors, too.”

Henninger qualified for the 5A state meet in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke last season. This time around, she is hoping to repeat in those events in addition to state berths in the 200 individual medley and the long-distance 500 freestyle.

“The 100 free is pretty big for me,” said Henninger, who placed 33rd last season. “I’ve been improving in that event the most. I really want to get the school record in the 100 back this year or next. I’d like my name up there.”

With one more year of experience, Henninger knows what to expect during the course of a high school swimming season.

“I was blind coming into my first season last year, and it was a good first-time experience,” Henninger said. “I was the first in my family to do this, so all I knew is what I had heard from the other swimmers.”