Durango High School athletes Mckenzie Rion and Alexis Behn both broke school swimming and diving records that had been on the books for at least 19 years at the Western Slope Conference Championships Friday and Saturday in Grand Junction.
Rion set a new record in the 200-yard freestyle, breaking a record that had been on the books for 19 years with her time of 1 minute 58.70 seconds.
In the 11-dive card, Behn also set a record with her performance, which scored 460.40 points.
“There was some serious celebrations going on in the deck,” said DHS head coach Thomas Joyner.
The new records helped DHS finish third at the conference, six points behinds behind Fruita Monument and 13 ahead of Grand Junction. Glenwood Springs won the meet again.
“I think it went really well,” Joyner said. “We’re super proud of all of the swimmers. Everyone contributed, and some of the kids dropped 10 to 20 seconds.”
The Demons will send 10 swimmers to compete in the 4A state championships Thursday and Friday at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton.
Behn will compete in the 11-card dive, where she ranks No. 4 in Class 4A.
Rion will compete in both the 200-free, where she ranks No. 12, and in the 100-free.
Erin Knight will race in the 500-free.
Angela Mcmanus also will race as an individual in the 50-free and the 100-backstroke.
Six other Demons will join them and race in the 200-medley relay, the 200-free relay and the 400-free relay. Those swimmers include Maren Clay, Emma Ebner, Olivia Becher, Anna Lawrence, Erin Lawrence and Cassidy Hill.
“They worked hard and earned it,” the coach said.
The Demons enter the state meet ranked No. 20 in Class 4A. Heritage, Windsor and Niwot are ranked No. 1-3. Grand Junction is No. 6.
“Ultimately we want them to hold their own, rise to the level of competition and surpass where they’re at as individuals and in the relays,” Joyner said.
