3 relays, 2 individuals head to state swimming

Due to COVID restrictions this year, Colorado high school swimming is only taking the top 20 times from each division of 3A, 4A and 5A schools to state competition.

The exciting news is that Holyoke still qualified three relays and two individual events for the 3A girls state swimming championships at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton.

Due to approaching storms, word was received Tuesday afternoon that the state meet will be held Monday, March 15, instead of Saturday, March 13.

Senior Rylee Schneller secured her fourth year of qualifying for state in the 100 breaststroke, and freshman Tayla Martin also achieved a 3A top 20 time in her 100 butterfly.

All three Dragon relays earned highly-coveted spots in the top 20 times among all 3A state swimming schools.

That includes senior Haley Van Overbeke, Schneller, Tayla Martin and sophomore Summer Martin in the 200-yard medley relay; Tayla Martin, Schneller, Van Overbeke and junior Josie Schlachter in the 200-yard freestyle relay; and Van Overbeke, Summer Martin, Schlachter and Schneller in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

This is also a fourth-time appearance in the state meet for Van Overbeke.

In an added bonus for the HHS team, coach Aly Brinkema was named Conference Coach of the Year.

The full article is available in our e-Edition. Click here to subscribe.