Its been a record setting year for the Cortez Leopard Sharks.
A new sense of commitment, extra practice, veteran experience, upstart newcomers and solid coaching, have resulted in perhaps the best season in the pool for the Leopard Sharks.
Cortez is sending 25 youth swimmers to the Western Slope League Championship on Friday through Sunday in Grand Junction. It is the most swimmers ever the Leopard Sharks have qualified.
The kids came to practice in the best shape and the best mental preparedness that I have ever seen, said coach Kevin Ketterer about the first practices in April. These kids came ready to swim, ready to learn. It started right from the beginning.
Swimmers are looking to advance to the Colorado Long Course State Championships at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on July 27-29. But that wont be an easy task.
Its difficult for our kids to compete with the kids that, in fact, do swim year-around, Ketterer said. For our kids, that (the Long Course State Meet) is the most difficult meet to qualify for. Its within our reach, but thats the most difficult to qualify for.
Some Leopard Sharks have been in the program for five to six years. That veteran leadership has greatly influenced the younger swimmers biting at the chance to shine at Colorado Mesa University this weekend.
Our younger kids that have been on the team, are now leaders in their age group, Ketterer said. Kids are sticking with the program. Its just making all the difference.
High school students Sera King, Elana Cope, Madison VanBibber, Ahnna Higgins and Amanda Kill have been valuable leaders for the youngsters.
Our 13-and-older girls have really come together, working together, pushing each other, Ketterer said. Part of that is because the high school girls are being good mentors to these younger kids. I think thats really building the womens side of our team. The high school girls are great role models.
Middle school swimmers Sonny and Garrett Boren, and Samantha Bagge look to have strong performances. Each has swam exceptionally well this season. Little Leopard Sharks Trenton Bagge, Tyler Cutrone, Jayden and Troy Thomason, and Bryce Baumgarten also hope to make a splash at the Western Slope Meet.
High finishes this weekend can lead to an appearance at the Seasonal State Meet in Gunnison that runs Aug. 3-5.
We will be hoping to qualify some additional swimmers for our seasonal meet, Ketterer said. Seasonal means were not year-around. There are teams like us all over the state. So, we have our own state meet.
Volunteer coaches Ann Hight, Steve Heath and Heather Foster assisted Ketterer this season.
These three have really helped our kids this year, Ketterer said about his fellow coaches. These are volunteers that are helping our kids to do their best.
Swimming starts Friday at 10:15 a.m.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.