The Lady Panthers swimming team is accustomed to travel throughout the year.
Montezuma-Cortez High School hasnt had much of that after the first week of the season. The confidence is certainly showing in the pool after hosting four teams at the Cortez Recreation Center last Saturday.
On Friday, M-CHS competed against four teams (Durango, Grand Junction, Fruita Monument and Palisade-Grand Junction Central) at the Fort Lewis College Pool. The Lady Panthers brought home that confidence Saturday.
Their bodies are getting used to having meets back-to-back. Given that, they still swam very, very strong, said M-CHS coach Ann Hight about her small numbered roster. Our team is coming together much sooner this year than they did last year. Were starting pretty much where we ended last year. Its a good sign for future meets. I expect more improvement.
Dolores junior Emily Harris had a strong day for the Lady Panthers with third- and-fourth-place times in the 50-yard freestyle and 100 backstroke. She finished in 29.62 and 1:18.43 in each event behind swimming Demons of Durango, who won both meets.
For individual events, you have to go out there and swim with your heart, Harris said. You dont worry about the other teams because theyre bigger, you just worry about racing yourself. Thats the way I look at it.
Harris took fifth in the 200 Individual Medley relay Friday in Durango in 2:46.32. It was her first time swimming the event and Harris feels very comfortable at her home pool.
Swimming at home is great, because you know the pool, you know how it works said Harris, who hopes to place on the podium at 4A regionals in February.
Harris swam on the fourth-place 400 freestyle relay team with Marlena Atena, Elana Cope and Madison Vanbibber. The quartet finished in a time of 4:46.21, but also took ninth at 2:30.14 in the 200 medley relay.
Its all dedication. We have a great team, Harris said. We all work well together.
Vanbibber, a freshman, placed sixth in the 50 free in 30.19. Fellow freshmen Amanda Kill and Sera King placed 18th and 19th at 36.59 and 36.98 in the 50 free. Cope made good for ninth-place in the 200 freestyle in a time of 2:41.22, and was 10th in the 100 breaststroke (1:37.23).
I have some outstanding freshmen, Hight said. I had Madison Vanbibber breaks 30 seconds in the 50 free, which is a milestone. Elana Cope came on strong yesterday and today.
Hight was without freshmen Amanda Haukeness and Jaci Veach Saturday due to illness.
Senior Meggie Curtis took eighth and 10th in the 50 free and 100 backstroke in 32.98 and 1:21.58. She finished in 1:20.04 in the 100 backstroke in Durango. Atene, a junior, finished seventh-place in the 100 backstroke at 1:21.50.
The Lady Panthers will now hit the road for the rest of the season. M-CHS swims Saturday at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Lady Panthers will be in Montrose for two days Dec. 16-17 before Christmas break.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.
