For the Montezuma-Cortez High School girls swim team, the Class 4A State Championship Meet in Thornton, Feb. 13-14, turned out to be an eye-opening experience.
Evergreen High School finished first overall, and the Lady Panthers were among teams that failed to score.
Leading the way for M-CHS was senior Madison VanBibber, who tied for 26th in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 26.13. VanBibber placed 34th in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 58.98.
Sophomore Samantha Bagge finished 33rd in the 200-yard freestyle (2:08.61) and 43rd in the 50-yard freestyle (27.59).
Freshman Caisey Duran finished 42nd in the 100-yard backstroke (1:07.95).
The Panthers 200-yard freestyle relay team made up of Bagge, VanBibber, Bailey Duran and Kayla Hageman finished 33rd (1:51.89), and the Panthers 400-freestyle relay team made up of Bagge, VanBibber, Caisey Duran and Elana Cope finished 26th (4:06.95).
During the 2014-15 season, M-CHS broke five school records and qualified swimmers for the first time in 15 years. The Lady Panthers will return to action in December 2015.