Swimming the boys 13-14-year-old division, Cutrone won both the 100-yard breaststroke (1:09.28) and the 200-yard breaststroke (2:30.61) and finished 11th in the 200-yard backstroke (2:18.41) and 21st in the 200-yard individual medley (2:18.20).
“He was seeded 13th in the 100-breast going in,” explained head coach Ian MacLaren. “And he just swam out of his mind. I was really pleased with the way he stepped up and competed, and then he came back on Sunday and won the 200-breast.”
Duran swam in seven different races in the girls 11-12-year-old division, taking fifth in the 100-yard backstroke (1:08.81), seventh in the 200-yard freestyle (2:13.22) and ninth in the 500-yard freestyle (5:59.19).
She also finished 13th in the 200-yard individual medley (2:31.76), 27th in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:21.83), 30th in the 50-yard breaststroke (37.76) and 36th in the 50-yard backstroke (33.81).
MacLaren noted Duran’s excellent splits, and said that he expects her to continue to improve as she continues to grow.
Duran also competed in the 2016 Colorado 14 & Under Short Course State Championships the week prior in Thornton, where she finished 25th in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:26.56.
“Great performance for her there,” MacLaren said. “That’s Colorado’s premiere meet and she went up there and placed well.”
MacLaren credited Cutrone and Duran’s success to their commitment to training, and as they wrap up the winter season, the Leopard Sharks will look to transition into the summer season beginning April 4.
“What they’ve done is they’ve embraced year-round training,” MacLaren said. “They’ve put the work in and they’ve got the base, and now they’re realizing that they can compete with anybody in the state.”
