Mullen excels despite only 8 qualifiers; Stone is coach of the year

Neil H. Devlin
Terrific showing for 'Stangs, who grab 4th in 4A.

THORNTON -- Not to seem like a borken record, but this quality vs. quantity reference concerning Mullen boiys swimming and diving really has turned into a legitimate thing.

Do the math – the Mustangs entered the Colorado Class 4A meet at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Complex with just eight qualifiers (and just six competed in multiple events), but somehow finished fourth as a team, scored in 10 of the 12 finals events on Saturday and produced the 4A coach of the year, one Susan Stone.

“I’m so happy, really happy,” Stone said and she spoke before she was named 4A’s top coach.

Said senior Ben Freeman, one of the six who were in multiple races: “I think what I like to say is we are an efficient team.”

Mullen’s 400-yard freestyle relay capped its tremendous effort, grabbing second place with junior Will Chavez, Cameron Smooke, Charlie Baker and Freeman being clocked in 3 minutes, 10.84 seconds to be considered for an All-American time.

But there was so much more.

Will Olivieri, Noah Maestas, Charlie Baker and Jonathon Krza were 20th in the 200 medley relay. Freeman (third) and Smooke (ninth) provided double points in the 200 free. Chavez was third in the 50 free and Maestas eighth in the 200 individual medley.

Smooke was 16th in the 100 butterfly. Chavez (third) and Freeman (fifth) provided another valuable double. Maestas added a sixth in the 100 breaststroke. And the 200 free relay group of Freeman, Smooke, Maestas and Chavez took second in the 200 free relay.

So many placings from so few entrants worked.

“They were great,” Stone said. “If we just had a couple more … oh, well …”

She’s not complaining.

Freeman, headed to Swarthmore, outside of Philadelphia, said “I’ll be sorry to leave this group.”

Added Chavez: “To be able to be where we are is amazing.”

Greeley West won the team chase with 323 points. Runner-up was Discovery Canyon (307) and Silver Creek (263.5) was third. Mullen had 236.

However, a short list of qualifiers made a splash. So did its coach.

“It is a total surprise and it’s awesome!” Stone said of award. “All of the hard work paid off and these kids are great!”
 
MULLEN RESULTS
200-yard medley relay – 10th in B final, 20th overall, 1 minute, 50.53 seconds.

200 freestyle –
 Final, Ben Freeman 3rd, 1:42.66; Cameron Smooke 9th, 1:48.26.

200 individual medley –
 Final, Noah Maestas 8th, 1:58.03.

50 free –
 Final, Will Chavez 3rd, 21.35.

100 butterfly –
 Final, 6th in B final, Cameron Smooke, 16th overall, 54.27.

200 free relay –
 Final, 2nd, 1:27.30.

100 free –
 Final, Chavez 3rd, 46.36, and Freeman 5th, 47.06.

100 backstroke –
 Final, Charlie Baker 9th, 54.60.

100 breaststroke –
 Final, Maestas 6th, 1:00.11.

400 free relay –
 Final, 2nd, 3:10.84.

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