By Jo Macke ’20 and Maddie Proctor ’21
Last week, over 60 boys competed for a spot on the RJ Swim and Dive Team during Time Trials–4 days of tryouts where they race every event and are ranked according to points. The Raiders have an impressive record: winning 21 Colorado state championship titles, being nationally ranked 5 times since 1992, and even sending multiple swimmers to the Olympics. This season is projected to be one of the best yet.
Head Coach Nick Frasersmith says he is “pretty encouraged and excited about how they are going to do. We’ve got a pretty solid senior class and some really good freshmen that came in.”
The boys have come in second for the past three years and are looking to beat out Fossil Ridge at the State Championship Meet. The team has many returning points from key swimmers such as Elijah Warren ’18, Will Goodwin ’19, and Jackson Gurley ’20. The freshman class is also incredibly well-rounded with athletes like Sawyer Inglis, Will Callahan, and Nick Ames ’21.
The team’s rivalries run deep with the Cherry Creek Bruins and the Fossil Ridge Panthers, who beat us out at state.
Varsity swimmer and sophomore Spencer Burks says, “I think the team will do very well against Creek, and I think we have a good chance of winning.”
Regis Jesuit has a phenomenal dual meet record and hopes to continue it this season. Approximately 40 of the swimmers made the varsity team, but the JV heat can be just as essential to performance in dual meets, which determine the ranking going into the championship season.
Coach Wilson and Coach Repaci, two members of the Junior Varsity coaching staff, are excited for the upcoming season and the improvements to be made.
“What’s great about coaching the Junior Varsity squad is that there is so much to build upon and improve, and it’s always great to see the leaps that they’ve made throughout the season” (Wilson).
Although this is her first year coaching the boys team, Ms. Repaci is extremely well-liked among the swimmers on the team and is excited for the team “to continue to grow and make improvements.”
This season is sure to be one to remember. Come support your Regis Jesuit boys team this season.
