After 11 years, Niwot girls swim head coach Sarah Stamp retires

Eleven years and a slew of accomplishments later, Niwot girls swimming head coach Sarah Stamp is calling it quits. "It was just time to step away and focus on my full time job and my family," she said. "I have a little one, so time's a precious thing... (it's) time to let someone else come in and take over."

During her tenure as a coach at Niwot, Stamp won back-to-back Northern Conference crowns and led the Cougars to a 4A state runner-up spot in 2019. She was also the statewide 4A Coach of the Year in 2019 and was recognized for the same distinction in the Northern Conference multiple times.

"We've had such a wonderful run over the last 11 years," Stamp said. "We've wiped the record board clean and they're all records of athletes I've coached, which is pretty rewarding, especially given how successful the program was prior to my arrival."

One of her record book re-organizers in recent years has been junior Mary Codevilla. Codevilla said she'll be forever thankful for what Stamp has done for her and Niwot.

"She means so much to all of the swimmers on the team and I'm devastated, and I know all the other swimmers are, to see her go," Codevilla said. "She's done so much for the program and the program has flourished under her... It's just been a blast for everyone so it's really sad to see her go."

Codevilla still believes the program will continue to thrive and noted a sense of excitement and mystery with the head coaching vacancy.

While she won't be in the head coaching role anymore, Stamp hopes to keep supporting Niwot from afar.

"I'm not going anywhere, I'm still here, I'm not moving, I'm not going to coach another program and (I) very much love the Niwot swim team," Stamp said. "I'll be here on the sidelines supporting them in any way I can, just not in the full time, head coach capacity."

Stamp, an alumnus of Niwot High herself, said she will always hold the swim team and Niwot community close at heart and thanks them for all the support over the past 11 years. The connections she has made at Niwot will undoubtedly be cherished.

"The girls have just been wonderful over the years and you grow so many nice relationships both with coaches, administrators at the school and then of course the athletes," Stamp said. "It's something that's always a part of you."