All-state teams from Boulder, Broomfield counties

PREP BOYS SWIMMING

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Broomfield’s Rhys Gibson (left) congratulates Monarch’s Gavin Keogh (right) after he set the state record in the 100-yard backstroke at the 4A state meet at VMAC on May 10. BRENT W. NEW — BOCOPREPS.COM

Fairview’s Wesley Schlachter (center) hugs Jack Garnett as Anders Koschmann (right) celebrates their 400-yard freestyle state title during the Class 5A state championships at the Veterans Memorial Aquatics Center on May 9. ALISSA NOE — BOCOPREPS

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By Alissa Noe

anoe@prairiemountainmedia.com

No stars shined brighter than Monarch’s Gavin Keogh and Ethan DiFronzo during last month’s state swim and dive meets.

CHSAA’s Class 4A co-swimmers of the year helped propel the Coyotes to their first-ever team state championship in the sport with three individual titles apiece, as the team in full narrowly defeated second-place Mullen by 7.5 points. Amber Austin, naturally, won coach of the year honors, while eight Coyotes in all graced the all-state teams.

They led a contingent of 20 Class 4A and 5A boys from the Boulder, Broomfield and Longmont areas.

Keogh nabbed the Daily Camera swimmer of the year, in large part thanks to his record-setting performance in the 100-yard backstroke, which he won with a time of 46.54 seconds. He likewise won the 200 freestyle at 1 minute, 37.47 seconds, along with the 200 medley relay (1:30.074). He was named 4A first team for all three events, as well as the 400 free relay (second, 3:05.97).

DiFronzo claimed his golds in the 200 free relay, the 50 free (20.50) and the 100 free (45.29), and claimed first-team spots for all three alongside the 400 free relay. Isaac Skillern and Tobin Howe swam the other two legs in both relays. Skillern added a first-team nomination in the 100 butterfly (fifth, 51.57), and Howe joined him in the 100 breaststroke (second, 56.83) and the 200 individual medley (fifth, 1:56.55).

Casey Halloran joined his Monarch teammates on second team in the 1-meter dive (fifth, 475.15), while Matthew Martino (diving), Max Seibold (500 free) and Everett Skillern (100 fly) made their way onto honorable mention.

Silver Creek’s James Story, who was named the Times-Call swimmer of the Year, secured one of the Raptors’ two first-team spots thanks to his performances in the 100 free (second, 45.68) and the 200 free (fourth, 1:41.49). Rider Neeb joined him in diving (third, 504.05), and Chayakorn Ngampatipatpong (100 breast, eighth, 59.64) earned a second-team spot.

Broomfield had just one selection — on second team — from Rhys Gibson, who finished fifth in the 100 back (52.88).

Up in 5A, Fairview’s 400 free relay team of Wesley Schlachter, Soren Koschmann, Anders Koschmann and Jack Garnett snagged first team honors thanks to their victory in the 400 free relay (3:01.92). Schlachter picked up another first-team nomination in the 200 free (eighth, 1:41.34), while Anders Koschmann (100 back, seventh, 51.13) and Soren Koschmann (100 back, sixth, 50.93; 100 free, third, 45.37) achieved similar feats in their other respective events.

Legacy’s 200 free relay quartet of Tyler Mills, DK Nakashima, Austin Neeley and Hector Mu rounded out the local contingent with a second-team nod. They finished runner-up in the event at 1:23.57.