The Durango High School girls swimming and diving team is hitting its stride heading into Friday and Saturday’s district meet.
The Demons have been cruising past their competition in the last few weeks and many girls have acquired state qualifying times in the process.
In the last three meets, Durango has finished first twice and took second last week in Glenwood Springs.
“I think we’re in really good shape heading into a big weekend for us,” Durango head coach Tom Joyner said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “The girls have been training hard and pushing themselves and the times are improving. The divers have been fantastic as well.”
On Jan. 16, the Demons breezed past the other five schools at the Grand Junction Invite and finished with 539 points as the team took wins in four events and placed second in three.
Kylie Behn’s 160.35 in the one-meter dive was nearly 10 points better than the next best diver.
Violet Witchel won the 50-yard freestyle in 25.91 seconds and finished second in the 100 freestyle. Anne Mummery narrowly won the 100 backstroke with a time of 1 minute, 4.41 seconds and Mira Joyner finished third just a few seconds behind. Elli Earl took second in the 100 breaststroke and 200 freestyle and the 400 meter relay team in the Demons’ first place effort.
It was more of the same from Durango on Jan. 23 at the Delta County meet as the Demons won nine of 12 events and finished over 100 points better than second place Delta.
Ruby Epstein racked up 163.80 points to win the one-meter dive and Witchel posted wins in the 50 freestyle (0:27.03) and 100 freestyle (1:00.34). Joyner won the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:11.12 and the 100 breaststroke in 1:21.69. Jocelyn Earl won the 200 freestyle (2:17.83) and the 500 freestyle (6:06.07). The 200 and 400 free relay teams both posted wins in the lopsided Durango win.
On Saturday, the Demons were in Glenwood Springs to test their skills against some of the region’s best talent. The Demons held their own, but couldn’t out-do the hosts.
Epstein’s 170.85 was far and away the best dive as she was the only Demon to get first place. Witchel took second in the 50 freestyle and Mummery was second in the 100 free and third in 100 backstroke. Joyner touched second in the 100 butterfly and the 200 individual medley while Elli Earl also took second in the 100 breaststroke. The 200 free and medley relay teams both finished second.
So far this season, four Demons have posted state meet qualifying times along with the relay teams. Jocelyn Earl qualified in the 500 freestyle; Joyner will be in the 100 backstroke; Mummery will compete in the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke and Witchel qualified in the 50 freestyle. There is still time for other qualifying times to be had, and the coach is optimistic.
“Some of our girls are right on the cusp and the district meet is a place where things can turn around,” Joyner said. “We need to mentally wrap our heads around what we’re trying to do a little bit better, but I’m happy with where we’re at.”
Grand Junction High School will host the district meet at 4 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
jfries@durangoherald.com
