On a day when an underclassman stole the show at the Class 5A girls swimming state meet, a few area underclassmen made their own mark.
Ralston Valley freshman Erin Metzger-Seymour placed sixth in two individual races — 200-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly — along with helping the Mustangs place fifth in the 400 freestyle relay Saturday night at the Edora Pool and Ice Center in Fort Collins.
Metzger-Seymour was aided by fellow freshman Maddie Myers, who finished eighth in the 500 freestyle, and junior Kristen Haeger, who came in seventh in the 500 freestyle and eighth in the 200 individual medley.
Altogether, the Mustangs managed a solid 11th-place team finish with 98 points.
“These girls are fantastic,” Ralston Valley coach Howie Silleck said. “We had a great year. The thing I love about these girls is that no matter where they are they try their hardest. They set the tone at the start of the year that this was a team, more than collective individuals.”
The team showed up in a big way for the finals, also finishing fifth in the 200 medley relay consolation to begin the afternoon.
Regis Jesuit claimed the team state championship — ending a six-year title run for Cherry Creek — with 356.5 team points behind the historic performances of Raiders’ sophomore Missy Franklin, who set a state record in 50 freestyle and the national record in the 100 backstroke.
While they may not have a Missy Franklin, Ralston Valley proved they have some impressive potential of their own.
“This was really exciting for me,” Metzger-Seymour said. “Now I know that I can do better the next few years. I know I can compete with these girls.”
Haeger, who managed the eighth place finish despite losing her goggles in the midst of the 200 individual medley, said she was proud of how her team — young and old — came together this season.
“I’m ecstatic,” she said. “Our team has grown so much this year. For our team to come back as strong as we’ve ever been at 5A is just amazing. I’m so proud to be a Ralston Valley Mustang today.”
The Mustangs nearly capped a great afternoon with a record of their own — missing out on a Ralston Valley record in the final event of the day (the 400 freestyle relay) by just seven-tenths of a second with a time of 3:38:30.
“We were really close to our school record, so we’re a little sad about not getting that but I’m so proud of these girls,” said junior Cassie Sorensen, who swam the second leg of the relay. “We all gave it our best this weekend.”
Another area underclassman who made waves of her own Saturday was Arvada West freshman Morgan McCormick, who was just a second off winning the 100 backstroke consolation race with a time of 58.71 — all of this with pink eye.
“This morning I actually got pink eye and I broke out in hives,” McCormick said. “I don’t think that being sick is an excuse. I’m happy with my time for the way I was feeling.”
A-West coach Paul Karlsson was impressed with his freshman’s display of heart.
“I’m amazed, immensely proud of her to come in here as a freshman and when she’s not feeling well,” Karlsson said. “Usually she doesn’t break a minute and now she’s going (58:71) at state. She’s only been swimming for four years. She’s got a lot of potential.”
As both schools watched Regis hoist the championship trophy behind the performance of a star underclassman, both Ralston Valley and A-West swimmers and coaches had to wonder at the future possibilities behind their standout freshmen.
“We’re a little bit smaller of a school (than Regis) but we’ve got a lot of heart,” said Silleck. “These girls have got a shot at being up there with anyone in the state.”
Class 5A girls state swimming championships
Local results
Event 1 — 200 Yard Medley Relay (consolation)
Ralston Valley – 13th
Event 2 — 200 Yard Freestyle
Metzger-Seymour, RV, 6th (1:54:58)
Event 3 — 200 Yard Individual Medley
Haeger, RV, 8th (2:10:86)
Event 6 — 100 Yard Butterfly
Metzger-Seymour, RV, 6th (57:52)
Event 8 — 500 Yard Freestyle
Haeger, RV, 7th (5:09:66)
Myers, RV, 8th (5:09:77)
Event 10 — 100 Yard Backstroke (consolation)
McCormick, AW, 10th (58:71)
Event 12 — 400 Yard Freestyle Relay
Ralston Valley — 5th (3:38:30)
Jones, Sorensen, Metzger-Seymour and Haeger