Athletes from Discovery Canyon have enjoyed quite the breakthrough recently. For example, there’s sophomore Lauren Gale, who has reset her school’s record books in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter runs, and freshman Mattie Kuntzelman, the only Thunder girls’ tennis player to win a state singles title.

You can add distance swimmer Braden Whitmarsh to the list of record breakers.

The freshman, who attends school at The Classical Academy – which does not offer boys’ swimming – not only touched first in the 500-yard freestyle Saturday at the Pikes Peak Athletic Conference meet at Cheyenne Mountain, he did so in a school-record time of 4 minutes, 50.92 seconds, the fifth-fastest mark among 4A athletes this season.

Now, he’s ready to continue that momentum heading into the 4A state swimming and diving championships, scheduled for Friday-Saturday at Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton. Prelims for both 4A and 5A meets start at 4 p.m. Friday, with finals set for 2 p.m. Saturday. The opening rounds of diving competition start at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Whitmarsh’s coach, Dave Burgess, isn’t ready to update the record board just yet.

“He’ll probably break it again,” the second-year coach said. “He wasn’t truly rested for the league meet, so I’m pretty confident Braden will go faster at state. It’s all about how fast to swim in prelims to get to the finals, then letting it all hang out. He’s not only a great racer, but he’s a smart racer, too.”

And one who’s glad to have witnessed the stark differences between club swimming and high school swimming.

Now, he knows.

“Oh, I love high school swimming,” Whitmarsh said. “The atmosphere is great. You’re still working hard, but you’re having fun at the same time. It’s a lot more of a team sport than club as far as cheering for each other and trying to win. The season has gone by so fast, but it’s been awesome.”

He had an awesome time at the PPAC meet, the only swimmer not from defending state 4A champion Cheyenne Mountain or Air Academy, which won state titles from 2013-15, to reach the top step on the podium. He also placed second in the 200 free behind Colorado Springs Swim Team teammate Griffin Ayotte of Air Academy.

Fully rested and tapered for his first state meet, Whitmarsh isn’t making any bold predictions.

“It’s a bigger meet, and we’re going easier in practice, but other than that, I’m trying to keep it similar to a regular invite,” Whitmarsh said. “It’s racing, and that’s what it comes down to. I’d like to drop my times, and I know I can. I just want to swim well and race hard.”

5A meet officials ask for patience

For the second year in a row, the Air Force Academy’s natatorium is playing host to the 5A boys’ state swimming and diving championships Friday and Saturday.

And, like any other event on base, those preparing on watching the meet should allow for extra time to pass through normal security measures.

“We’re asking everyone to be prepared to show their ID and have valid insurance and prepare for a trunk search,” said Nick Kiger, the assistant athletic director for special events for the Air Force Academy Athletic Corp. “We’re hopeful it’ll be a lot quieter than last year and a lot easier getting on and off.”

Last year’s NORTHCOM directive, set into motion May 8, increased security measures and essentially closed the base to the public, jeopardizing the state meet. The academy elected to keep the meet on as scheduled.

While strict security measures remain in place, officials aim to keep traffic flowing out of the North Gate of the academy, as was the case last year.

“Anticipate a small delay,” AFAAC assistant director Travis Oosthoek said. “Also, the Cadet Gym is under renovations, so we encourage all swimming fans to follow all directional signage to get over to the gym area. Everyone will be OK as long as they allow for extra time.”