'Stangs impressive in swim invitational

Susan Stone was caught off guard … and she hopes it continues.

The Mullen head coach was thrilled on Saturday as the Mustangs grabbed first place as a team in the Class 4A portion of the Rex Abelein Invitational at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton.

The Mustangs totaled 184 points in 4A to Rampart’s 149. Silver Creek was a distance third at 87.

Overall, powerful Cherry Creek won in 5A with 361, 99 better than runner-up Fairview, and St. Mary’s Academy (44) outdistanced Erie (17) in 3A.

“It was very cool and we‘re super-excited,” Stone said.

Mullen also was good enough to finish sixth overall among all teams.

Some highlights:

--- Mary Macaulay, Claire Chahbandour, Lindsey Sowitch and Chase Davison finished fifth in the 200-yard medley relay in 1 minute, 47.57 seconds.

--- Sowitch was fourth in the 200 individual medley, 2:08.88, and 13^th in the 100 free, 53.98.

--- Chahbandour was 10^th in the 50 free, 25.20.

--- Davison was fifth in the 500 free, 5:12.83.

--- A finish that particularly pleased Stone – the 200 free relay team that was seeded 45^th grabbed 10^th. Claire Mochan, Macaulay, Rachel Rowland and Gigi Zinis cruised in 1:44.09.

--- The 400 free relay group was eighth in 3:40.11.

“I had no idea,” Stone said before her team finished first in 4A. “I was pleasantly surprised. This imeet is a precursor for state and gives you a good idea of how you can do. The girls did great.”

The Mustangs, who also showed well in a dual meet against Smoky Hill in Aurora in the Centennial League leading up to Saturday, will be idle until Jan. 9, when they will be at Eaglecrest for a dual in league.