AURORA | League championship meets begin Wednesday for some Aurora girls swim teams and continue through the weekend, using a variety of formats.
The Centennial League has held the majority of its meets in virtual format and the same holds for “A” League prelims, though two teams will swim in a pool — in separate sessions — Wednesday and Thursday in order to make efficient use of a limited number of officials.
Cherry Creek and Overland swim back-to-back in Cherry Creek’s pool on Wednesday, the same day Smoky Hill and Mullen will conduct consecutive preliminary sessions in the Buffaloes’ pool.
Cherokee Trail, Eaglecrest, Grandview and Arapahoe get their turn on Thursday to swim prelims, which will determine the makeup of Saturday’s finals at Smoky Hill High School, which will attempt to mimic the format of the upcoming Class 5A state meet.
The EMAC championship meet — which includes Gateway, Hinkley and Rangeview, but not Aurora Central, which is in quarantine — runs Thursday and Friday at Adams City High School. Prelims start at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, with the full 11-dive competition beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, which is followed by swimming finals at 12:10 p.m.
Regis Jesuit is part of the Continental League “A” League meet, which is set to be contested at Heritage High School Friday and Saturday with the exception of diving, which will be held at Littleton High School. Prelims begin Friday at 10 a.m. and will run through the evening, while finals start at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
League championship meets usually provide a last chance for swimmers to qualify for the state meet, but they are especially important this season given that only the top 20 times for individuals or relay teams in each event advance, as opposed to achieving a qualifying standard as in years past.
Prior to the league meets, here (story) is the top 25 rankings for each individual and relay team in 5A according to results uploaded to MaxPreps.com.
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Colorado Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports