Does anyone have an extra anchor? That may be the only way Colorado Springs Metro League foes may slow down the Lewis-Palmer boys’ swimming team.

Class 4A

The Rangers are loaded with talent and depth – and riding the wave of a 33-meet league winning streak and three consecutive league championships.

Lewis-Palmer dropped down to 4A and has its sights set on a state championship. The Rangers finished one point out of the top 10 at last year’s 5A state meet.

“We have a lot of high team goals,” coach Alan Arata said.

One with lofty goals is junior Matthew Day, who placed sixth in 5A 100 freestyle at state and qualified in three other individual events. He spearheads a group of 22 returning letter-winners, including state-qualifying seniors Jonathan Munns and Heath Glover, both freestylers.

“It’s going to be a fun year,” coach Arata said. “I think it will be a year the guys remember for a long time.”

Cheyenne Mountain is led by Pat Scally, who placed in the top three in two events and two relays at 4A state.

Class 5A

Air Academy has 15 letter-winners back, including diver Chris Shoptaugh. Pine Creek is led by the versatile Gregg Hutto.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Season begins: Thursday

State championships: 4A, Mountain View HS (Loveland); 5A, EPIC, Fort Collins, May 15-16• • •

TEAM PREVIEWS

CLASS 5A

Air Academy – The team has 15 lettermen back, including seniors Aaryn Coker, Daniel Rothlis, Adam Pink, Ryan Gimarc and Jake Ripp, juniors Jeff Allen and Jacob Mueller and sophomore Michael Carricato – all returning relay qualifiers. Coker, Rothlis and diver Chris Shoptaugh also qualified as individuals.

Coronado – The roster of 30-plus swimmers and divers includes state qualifiers Dylan Fabrizius, a senior, and sophomore Chris Bell, as well as letter-winners in juniors Steve Allison, Tim O’Connell, Ryan Chaney, Adam Glynn, Stephen Schambach and Kyle Hensley and sophomores Dave Peek and Will Simpson. Freshmen Devon Allison, Ben Essells, Steve Peek and Travis VanDeVeer will add depth and variety, according to coach Bob Bell.

Doherty – Junior Erick Chewakin and freshman James Culligan are expected to lead the Spartans, who have 15 letter-winners back.

Fountain-Fort Carson – Class 4A state-qualifying diver Nathan Taylor, a senior, returns along with relay qualifiers and seniors Cole Nelson and Nick Thompson. Armando Escobar is a team leader for coach John Rork.

Liberty – 4A state qualifiers Daniel Bradford and Logan Sullivan, both juniors, return.

Palmer – There are almost 20 on the roster, though the majority are first- and second-year swimmers. Seniors Sean Anderson and Nathan Dewey will lead the way.

Pine Creek – The Eagles, third in the league last year, hope to challenge Cheyenne Mountain for No. 2 behind senior Greg Hutto, juniors Jack MacPherson, David Bossert and Daniel Greer and sophomore Forrest Gaskill. Justin Holmes returns from injury and should help, along with sophomore Jim Bossert and junior diver Cory Carpenter.

Rampart – The Rams have a promising freshman in Ian Clarke.

CLASS 4A

Cheyenne Mountain – Junior Pat Scally, who placed in the top three in two individual events and two relays at 4A state, leads the Indians. A solid cast of returning state qualifiers includes diver Justin Schaeffer and freestylers Braden Burdiken and Charlie Tanner, all seniors, junior sprinter Mike Johnson, junior Eric Baer in the individual medley and sophomores Marshall McCann and Andy Yoo.

Harrison – School record holders Jason Mechling and Allen Lowry will lead the Panthers’ group of 12 returning lettermen.

Lewis-Palmer – Other state qualifiers include juniors Logan Dean and Jeremy Hayes, and sophomores Collin Babcock, Spencer Flores, Doug Russell and Spencer Wells.

Additional depth comes with juniors Bryce Arata, Bryan Bane and Kevin Newby, sophomore Philip Gifford and freshman Shane Mobley.

Mitchell – Two 5A state qualifiers from last year, David Baker and Josh Johnson, return and should do well in the 4A ranks.

Wasson – The Thunderbirds will be inexperienced, but return league diving champ Matt Sundling.

UCCS’ men’s basketball team fell to 0-34 against Metro State. Photo by KEVIN KRECK, THE GAZETTE