Indians' Scally wins two individual titles at Class 4A meet

LOVELAND – Cheyenne Mountain senior Patrick Scally came into Saturday’s boys state swimming championships figuring to make a run at the 4A state record in the 500-yard freestyle. He didn’t expect to win the 200-yard freestyle early in the day.

He was quite happy to accomplish both feats.

Scally pulled an upset to win the 200 free, and then edged the old 4A state record in the 500 free by eight hundredths of a second, with a time of 4:35.53.

“I was definitely shooting for that,” said Scally, who attends St. Mary's, which does not have a boys' swim team. “Records were meant to be broken, so that was my goal coming in. I’m happy I managed to do it.” 

Scally’s efforts helped Cheyenne Mountain finish second in the team standings.

“He is thrilled, and we’re all thrilled and so proud,” coach Kate Doane said. “Our team has come together and it has been wonderful.”

In the 200 free, top seed Josh Ginsborg of Fossil Ridge had a seed time almost 2 seconds faster than Scally and was almost 4 seconds faster in Friday’s preliminary heats. Scally, who finished second in the 200 free last year at state, finished in 1:40.84, an automatic all-American time and only .68 off the 4A state record. Ginsborg finished sixth.

“I wasn’t the favorite, but I thought I could win it – I hoped I could win it,” Scally said. “It was exciting to win. A little unexpected.”

To win a pair of individual titles – he won the 500 free championship last year – was a good way for Scally to finish his high school swimming career.

“I feel like I put in a good finish,” Scally said. “I’m excited.”