For the past three years, Air Academy has ruled the Class 4A boys’ swimming roost, celebrating with the championship trophy at the state meet.

Cheyenne Mountain, which finished fifth last season, watched that celebration take place but didn’t hang its collective head. Despite the placing, the mere 87-point deficit has a deep and experienced Indians team encouraged heading into the 2015 season.

“The point difference between third and fifth was only 20 points,” Indians senior Wyatt Kartvedt said. “That’s super close and not even the points awarded for a relay win (40). It comes down to tiny points. There are a lot of great teams, but I don’t think any is superior anymore. It’s a tight race every day, and it comes down to who wants to get up and go the fastest.”

With Air Academy also ruling the Pikes Peak Athletic Conference, Cheyenne Mountain – and other schools – looks forward to several encounters with the Kadets, even before competing again at the state meet. But the thought of beating Air Academy carries equal parts adrenaline and danger.

“It can be a double-edged sword,” longtime Indians coach Kate Doane said. “We want to win league, but we also want to try and win state, too. We have to make important decisions, and we want to try not to burn out the kids in the process. We knew they’ve got their eyes on us, and we’ve got ours on them. I know those guys are ready to race, and we’ll give them the best shot we have.”

Both programs return plenty of firepower that’ll keep Air Academy the prohibitive favorite and Cheyenne Mountain as a contender again.

The Indians know they aren’t in any position to add any unnecessary fuel by talking.

“I’m just going to let these guys work together as a team and do the best they can,” Doane said. “The final results will speak for themselves. We have good depth coming back and a few who are coming out for the first time who will be great additions. I think we’re ready to show the state what we’ve got.”

Yet, Kartvedt didn’t want to take too much into what his team looks like on paper.

“To me, this team has more potential out of the four years I’ve been part of it,” said Kartvedt, who already has been accepted to the Naval Academy. “But potential is one thing. Reality is another. We’re all excited to race Air Academy, and we’ll have that opportunity four times this season. We want to win as much as they do.”