Boys swim and dive celebrates state qualifiers

The Silver Creek boys swim and dive team is closing out a hard-fought season with a wave of successes as they prepare for the Granite Peaks League Championships and the upcoming state meet.

The team moved into the Granite Peaks League this year which meant facing a new lineup of competition and swimming against much larger 4A high schools including Fairview, Monarch, and Legacy. The transition proved challenging, with the Silver Creek team’s win-loss record reflecting the higher level of competition.

Head Coach Debbie Stewart sees the silver lining. “Going up against these 5A schools is challenging our guys and making them step up to the plate and swim tougher and be harder, so in the long run it’ll be good.” she said.

The Silver Creek swim team, composed of athletes from Silver Creek High School, Niwot High School, Erie High School, Dawson School, and Frederick High School, operates as its own program despite the multi-school roster. This structure allows the team to compete at its current classification rather than move into the 4A division, which would require combining fully with other district schools.

Last weekend, the team competed at the Boulder County Invitational, a meet that offered swimmers a rare break from their usual lineup. Unlike the longer, varsity-scoring events typically seen at major meets, the Boulder County Invitational featured shorter races such as the 25-yard freestyle and 50-yard butterfly. Roughly three-quarters of the team participated, enjoying a lighter atmosphere before the high-pressure meets ahead.

Despite the relaxed environment, a few swimmers used the opportunity to chase final state qualifying times. Three athletes wore technical suits in hopes of meeting state cuts, with one of the season’s most memorable moments coming from Silver Creek senior Joey Tinkum. Last weekend, he capped off a years-long journey by officially qualifying for state in the 50 free; a moment Stewart highlighted from the season saying, “It was just the most heartwarming feeling for me to know how far this kid came.”

Freshman Cruz Martin, an Erie High School student, qualified for state in the 200-yard freestyle during the final dual meet of the season.

Divers have also contributed significantly to the team’s postseason prospects. Returning state qualifier Rider Neeb from Dawson continues to anchor the diving squad, newly supported by Niwot’s Braden Saunders, who joined the team’s diving roster this year to lend support. Saunders quickly made an impact, qualifying for state in both diving and swimming events.

Coach Stewart, a former collegiate swimmer for Colorado State University, has led and supported the team through the highs and lows of this demanding season. With fifteen swimmers and divers already qualified for the state meet and the potential for a few more after this weekend’s Granite Peaks League Championships, the team is looking to finish their season on a strong note.