Niwot girls clinch Longs Peak League swim title

If first-year head swim coach Kyle Bachrodt had any doubts about his team's status as a contender for the Class 4A state swim and dive title, then its performance at the 2021 Longs Peak League conference championships put them to rest. After winning eight of the meet's 12 events and setting at least two state-best times along the way, the Cougar swimmers are peaking at exactly the right time, Bachrodt said, and he is looking forward to seeing them in the pool on March 12 with the best in Colorado.

"This is without our state swimmers tapering, so we still have another week to get faster," he said after Niwot clinched the league crown on March 3. "I think we had 98% best times today, and those that didn't get a personal best were right on their times."

It's hard to pick out one standout moment of the day, as several had claim to that status. Junior Grace Shaw set season-best times in the 200- and 500-yd freestyle races, the former by nearly six seconds. Senior Emiley Yie also set a season-best time in the 200 freestyle, as well as the 50 freestyle, improving her state seed in both. There were also season bests from Jamieson Legh (100 butterfly) and Mary Codevilla (500-yd freestyle).

However, Niwot's performances in the 200- and 400 freestyle relays were what impressed Bachrodt the most on the day. The Cougars set new season-best times in both, but in the latter, the Niwot team (Yie, Codevilla, Legh, Charlotte Heuer) shaved nearly seven seconds off their best time to finish in 3:33.69, the leading time in all classes for several days.

"That last relay was really the big surprise," he said. "I'm not going to say I expected everything else, but I know our girls and I know the way we've been training coming down the stretch. I was confident in what was going to happen today. I was really big on preparing them for the end of the season championship meet, and our team was built to win."

Niwot's impressive swims at the league championships mean Bachrodt and his assistant Aimee Keronen will have "some thinking to do" about their projected lineup at the Class 4A championships. Individuals are limited to four events each, and the calculations can get "tricky" when more than one swimmer is a potential placer. The Cougars will also have to contend with another ultra-competitive field at the state meet, led by Class 4A newcomer Heritage and perennial powerhouse Rampart.

"It's going to take smart races," Bachrodt said, "and to be close, I think our relays are really going to be the key. The relays are going to be what sets the teams apart."