Lewis-Palmer primed to win Metro league

Lewis-Palmer once again looks to be the favorite to win the Metro title in boys swimming With 17 swimmers from last year’s squad and nine with state experience, the Rangers appear to be the deepest as well.

“In a dual meet we are very tough, but at state you really just have to have superstars,” Rangers coach Alan Arata said. “I’m not sure we have those superstars.”

Arata said that he is hoping the team can place higher than its 15th-place finish at state last year. All members of the Rangers’ relay teams, which finished no lower than 14th at state, are back. Because they didn’t lose anyone from last year’s team, the Rangers hope that with solid relays and a number of state qualifiers, they will finish in the top 10.

Their highest finish at state last year was the ninth-place 200-yard freestyle relay that included Josh Day, Erik Rodriquez, Shane Meyer and Alex Eldredge.

Pine Creek has a number of freshmen and sophomores who are hoping to contribute, including Jack MacPherson in the 50 freestyle and David Bossert in the 500 freestyle.

Coronado finished fourth in the Metro League and 25th at state.

With senior Andrew Ives and junior Dylan Fabrizius anchoring relays and swimming individual events, the Cougars are looking for a few freshmen to step up.

“We lost 10 seniors from last year so I’m not sure how we rank,” Coronado coach Bob Bell said. “We’ll have to see after the first meet and hopefully we’ll improve from that to the end of the season.”

Cheyenne Mountain has high hopes after finishing second at the Metro meet and at the 4A state meet. The Indians should challenge the Rangers.

Sophomore Erik Baer returns after placing in the 100 backstroke and 200 individual medley. Senior Devin Wahl and sophomore Pat Scally are also looking to improve upon their 15thand fourth-place finishes in the 500 freestyle.

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TEAM PROFILES

CLASS 5A

Air Academy

Junior freestyle swimmers Daniel Rothlis and Ryan Gimarc lead a deep team.

Coronado

Individual state qualifiers Andrew Ives and Dylan Fabrizius will also anchor the 200 freestyle and medley relays.

Doherty

Returning seniors Ben Kaiser and Chad Kelly both placed in the top 10 at the Metro meet last year. Erik Chewakin should be competitive in the 100 backstroke.

Lewis-Palmer

Last year’s Metro champions return nine state qualifiers, including seniors Josh Day, Heath Glover, Matthew Grooms and Shane Meyer. All 200 and 400 freestyle relay members are back.

Mitchell

Eight returners include: David Baker, Dane VanArkel, Taylor Barry, Josh Johnson, Dallin Cary, Calvin Pickett, CJ Jekel and Oscar Morales.

Palmer

Six returners, including swim captain Tyler Williams and diving captain Josh Bianchiare, are joined by 12 newcomers for new coaches Matt Reeves and Abbey Krall (diving).

Pine Creek

Greg Hutto, Jack MacPherson and Andrew Rogers return.

Rampart

Seniors Josh Byrd, Brandon Griener, Aaron Martin and Kenny Walls return.

Wasson

The Thunderbirds have no returning state qualifiers but are looking at Phil Korejwo and diver Matt Sundling to lead the team.

CLASS 4A

Cheyenne Mountain

Distance swimmer Pat Scally is expected to finish well in the 200 and 500 freestyle. Seniors Jeff Hansen and Devin Wahl should also put up state-qualifying times.

Liberty

Kevin Long placed at state in a number of freestyle events, and Stephen Palmer returns in the 100 backstroke.

Fountain-Fort Carson

Divers Keith Green, who placed 15th at state last year, and D.J. Woodson are expected to return to state.

Harrison

The Panthers have Ryan Chaney and Jason Mechling back.