Does anyone have an extra anchor? That may be the only way Colorado Springs Metro League opponents, and many other teams around the state, might slow down the Lewis-Palmer boys’ swimming team.

Class 4AThe Rangers are loaded with talent and depth – and riding the wave of a 33-meet CSML winning streak and three consecutive league championships.

At the state level, Lewis-Palmer is dropping down to Class 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. “But I think the kids have a lot of high individual goals also.”

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, and relay specialist Alex Eldredge.

Complementing an already strong team are transfers Pat Cardillo from Fountain-Fort Carson and Bryan Bonack from Pine Creek, both state qualifiers, and freshman Ryan Arata, the top age group swimmer in the state.

“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, 4A state runner-up the past two seasons, is led by Pat Scally, who placed in the top three in two individual events and two relays at 4A state.

Class 5AAir Academy has 15 letter-winners back including diver Chris Shoptaugh. Pine Creek, third in the CSML last spring, is led by the versatile Gregg Hutto.

Both will battle Cheyenne Mountain for second in the Metro League.

MARK YOUR CALENDARSeason begins: ThursdayState championships: 4A, Mountain View HS (Loveland); EPIC, Fort Collins, May 15-16

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