FORT COLLINS • Two-time defending champion Jenna Gregoire got clipped in the 100-yard freestyle Saturday, missing out on her third title by .05 of a second.

“Obviously, I’m a little disappointed,” the Rampart senior said after finishing runner-up at the Class 5A state swimming championships. “Five one-hundredths is a fingernail. Too bad I didn’t grow out my nails.”

Cherry Creek’s Jordan Mattern won in 51.08 seconds a day after breaking Gregoire’s state record (51.30) with a 50.79 in preliminaries.

Gregoire also took second in the 50 free (23.86) as Regis freshman Missy Franklin, won in a state-record 22.49, breaking her own mark set in prelims.

“My time was pretty good,” Gregoire said about the 100. “And second is the best I think I’ve done in the 50, so I was happy with it.”

Gregoire combined with Kyrene Clarke, Carli Snyder and Ashley Fuchs to take third in the 200 medley relay, setting a school record (1:48.50) and meeting the requirements for automatic All-American. Cherry Creek (1:41.88) was first followed by Regis (1:43.29).

“Regis and Cherry Creek and a small school from Colorado Springs — that was definitely an awesome way to start off the meet,” Gregoire said. “I couldn’t be more proud of my teammates.”

And even though she didn’t finish her high school career with another title, Gregoire is ready to move on.

“I’m so excited,” she said. “I think I finished it on a good note, leaving the team in good hands with a couple of the freshmen. I’m just so happy to have the opportunity to swim here in the finals every year.”

Gregoire, who is headed to Harvard, also helped the Rams place fourth in the 200 free relay.

Rampart’s fifth-place finish was its best since 2007 — one final piece in the shining legacy she will leave behind.

Gregoire holds school records in three individual events — 50, 100 and 500 free — and three relays.

“Her name is all over our record board,” coach Pat Burch said, “and it’ll be there a long time.”

Cheyenne Mountain’s Ashley Forsyth Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS