MCHS boy swimmers take a rest for spring break after busy start

MCHS boy swimmers take a rest for spring break after busy start

Mar. 24, 2001

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

The Montezuma-Cortez High School boys swimming team has been busy since opening the 2001 season. Members will take a much deserved rest for spring break this coming week before heading into the heart of the season beginning March 31, according to head coach Mark Knox.

The Panthers have been competing in several meets, including their own Cortez Invitational on March 9, at Durango on March 10, and at Delta this past Friday, March 16, and at Grand Junction on Saturday, March 17.

Joining host MCHS at the Cortez Invitational were Delta and Glenwood Springs at the Ute Mountain Recreation Center Pool (short course, meters). Delta won the team points race with 101 while Glenwood Springs took second at 63 and Cortez scored 59.

Daniel Puls took second in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2 minutes, 58.73 seconds. He also placed third in the 500 free in 8:38.31.

Mark Sturdevant came in second in the 100 free with a clocking of 1:27.84. He also came in fourth in the 50 free in 36.50. Home came in third in both the 100 free (1:34.31) and 100 back stroke (2:16.33). Damon Burris placed third in the 100 breast in 1:53.83. He came in sixth in the 200 free.

Jasper Showers is swimming some individual events and on some relays. He placed sixth in the 50 free.

The relay teams did well at this meet. The 200 medley relay team of Sturdevant, Puls, Scott Fowler and Ryan Horne came in third place in 2:33.95. The 200 free relay unit of Horne, Puls, Showers, and Burris were timed in 2:40.13 and finished second. The 400 free relay came in third of Puls, Fowler, Burris and Showers in 6:20.92.

The Durango meet was a little larger. Durango won going away with 352. Montrose came in second with 157, followed by Delta 152, Glenwood 100, and Cortez 91.

Puls had a good swim in the 50-yard free with a clocking of 25.21. He won the 100 breast in 1:09.30. He did about the best as an individual. Fowler came in sixth in the 100 free and Burris also came in sixth in the 100 breast. The rest of the team finished in seventh, eighth, or ninth in the remaining events.

The relay teams came in fifth in all three events.

Durango won the Delta Invitational with 223. Delta finished second with 135, followed by Gunnison at 22 and Cortez 20.

Burris placed fifth in the 200-yard free in 3:10.37 and sixth in the 100 breast. Fowler came in fifth in the 200 I.M. in 3:06.09 and sixth in the 100 free. Grayson Andrews came in fifth in the 100 back in 1:43.50 and seventh in the 50 free.

Durango continued to do well at the District 51 Relays at Orchard Mesa Middle School Pool in Grand Junction. The Demons won with 331 while Montrose came in second with 300. Grand Junction (Griffins) placed third at 236. They were followed by Pueblo Centennial 242, Moffat County 153, Delta 142, Glenwood Springs 122, and Cortez 64.

The best showing of the day was sixth by MCHS in the 200-yard breast relay. The squad of Puls, Burris, Sturdevant, and Showers finished in 2:40.37. Two relay teams finished in seventh, the best placing for the Panthers. The 400 free relay team of David Conrads, Fowler, Burris and Puls touched in 4:52.34. Andrews, Conrads, Fowler and Sturdevant competed in the 200 back relay in 2:53.19.

The Indians returned from last year having placed fourth at state. But with the loss of several senior swimmers, Montrose is still the team to beat. Montrose came out on top in several events, including the 200-yard backstroke relay and the 200 butterfly relay. The Demons won the diving and 200 breast stroke relay, among other events.

After only five events, the Demons were already in the lead with a total of 162 points, Montrose trailing by only 16. Winning the 400 individual medley, the 200 freestyle relay and the 200 backstroke/ breaststroke, put the Demons out of reach as they went on to win the meet.

After they compete at Craig on March 31, the Panthers swim at Delta April 7, Durango April 14, Montrose April 28, and Delta again on May 5. The Western Slope Championships are set for either Durango or Montrose May 11-12. State will be held the following week.