Area boys swimmers will have another opportunity to post or improve on their state-qualifying times in the highly competitive Hornet Invitational, hosted by Pueblo County High School.The two-day event, which draws some of the better teams from around the state, begins at 3 p.m. Friday and concludes with finals starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.Lewis-Palmer’s Josh Day and Cheyenne Mountain’s Devin Wahl each lead a team capable of winning the title this weekend.The Rangers’ depth has led them to several team wins this season. The Indians’ Pat Scally has also recorded statequalifying times and area-best times in the 200 and 500 freestyles.Cheyenne Mountain, Lewis-Palmer and Mitchell relays are all top three in the area and could meet in the finals.Mitchell has a trio of swimmers expected to do well this weekend. Sophomore Josh Johnson has qualified in the 200-yard individual medley, the 100 butterfly, and the 200 freestyle.Senior Dane Van Arkel has posted qualifying times in the 50 and 100 freestyle. Junior David Baker has one of the best area times in the 200 individual medley and should also be competitive in the 100 backstroke and the 200 and 500 freestyles.Marauders coach Nicole Hart hopes to see her team’s momentum continue in Pueblo.”We would just like to see some personal bests this weekend and see where we are talent-wise,” Hart said. “This should be a good meet; the kids really get excited about it due to the level of competition.”Coronado’s Dylan Fabrizius recently posted state-qualifying times in the 200 and 500 freestyles, and 100 butterfly. He also anchors the 400 freestyle relay, which Cougars’ coach Bob Bell hopes will qualify in a pool known for posting fast times.”The 400 free is what we’ve dropped most this year,” Bell said.”This is a good meet to look for a good time.”

Woodland Park catcher Ryan Kerbal tags out Liberty’s Ray Marsh for the first out of the fourth inning Wednesday afternoon, April 23, 2008, in Woodland Park. Photo by The Gazette, Kevin Kreck

KEVIN KRECK