'Stangs set marks and sparks with 3rd-place showing

By Neil H. Devlin, Mullen Sports Information Director
Mullen's inner core strong in 4A; Stone is coach of the year again.
 
THORNTON -- The stair-step series that is Mullen girls swimming and diving continues climbing like the exercise unit at your gymnasium.

It just keeps on going …

The Mustangs took third place in the cap to the Colorado Class 4A meet on Wednesday at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center, set a half-dozen school records over the two-day gathering and had the deserving Susan Stone honored as coach of the year.

“I’m so happy,” Stone said. “I didn’t dream any of this would happen when I came to Mullen (she’s in her fifth season as head coach after one as an assistant).”

All told, Cheyenne Mountain won with 348 points and runner-up Rampart had 340 with the team chase in doubt until the final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay. Mullen was third with 275 and, as Stone said, “they had all of those swimmers, so we did really well with our small group.”

Both Colorado Springs-area teams had more than Mullen’s 10 qualifiers, although the Mustangs got a lot of mileage in the pool out of their group that was nearly cut in half after qualifying for finals.

“Once we got to the finals, we definitely became very close,” junior Lindsey Sowitch said.

Actually, it began in preliminaries on Tuesday, when Sowitch had a part in four school records – the 200-yard individual medley, 100 butterfly, 200 medley really and 200 free relay.

However, Mullen’s performance on Wednesday included two more program marks and flirted with taking down the meet leaders.

The 200 medley relay team of Mary Macauley, Claire Chahbandour, Sowitch and Chase Davison finished second in 1 minute, 45.51 seconds for the fifth school record.

“It was really fun,” said Macauley, a freshman.

Davison, a sophomore, followed with another second, going 1:50.27 in the 200 freestyle to top the record run.

“This is the best year ever,” she said.

She had a point – topped by Mullen’s one race victory, in the 200 free relay, the Mustangs solidified their place among 4A’s elite. Gabrielle Zinis, Chahbandour, Sowitch and Davison won in 1:36.11.

And despite most of their points coming from five individuals, the Mustangs displayed depth, endurance and versatility.

Count the other ways:

--- Sowitch added a fifth (2:08.81) in the 200 individual medley and Macauley a 12th (2:10.92).

--- Chahbandour was fourth in the 50 free (24.33) and Zinis fifth (24.35).

--- Sowitch was sixth (57.88) in the 100 butterfly.

--- Zinis also was eighth in the 100 free (54.20) and Macauley fourth (58.00) in the 100 back.

--- And the Mustangs had three placers in the 100 breast – Davison was second (1:02.40), Chahbandour fourth (1:03.03) and Anarose Schwamm 12th (1:09.17).

All of this in a Mustangs’ effort that had their 400 free relay disqualified, advanced no divers to the championships and was without a freestyle distance swimmer.

“It was so much fun,” Zinis said. “I think we knew that we had a chance and we were able to follow through with it. I think we all did really well. I’m super proud and everyone did amazing.”

Plus, Stone is on her own roll. Four years ago, the Mustangs scored zero points in the state finale. Three seasons ago, they finished in the 20s. Then it was a sixth-place showing and last season’s fourth. And in May, she was honored as boys coach of the year at the Air Force Academy. Going back-to-back and across both genders, she said, is fulfilling.

“I’m so happy for her,” Sowitch said. “She deserves it more than anyone. She’s the best coach.”
 
Top team scores – Cheyenne Mountain 348, Rampart 340, Mullen 275, Dakota Ridge 229, Windsor 221.

Mullen placers

200-yard medley relay – 2. Mary Macauley, Claire Chahbandour, Lindsey Sowitch, Chase Davison, 1 minute, 45.51 seconds, school record.

200 freestyle – 2. Chase Davison, 1:50.27, school record.

200 individual medley – 5. Lindsey Sowitch, 2:08.81; 12. Mary Macauley, 2:10.92.

50 freestyle – 4. Claire Chahbandour, 24.33; 5. Gabrielle Zinis, 24.35.

100 butterfly – 6. Lindsey Sowitch, 57.88.

100 freestyle – 8. Gabrielle Zinis, 54.20.

200 freestyle relay – 1. Gabrielle Zinis, Claire Chahbandour, Lindsey Sowitch, Chase Davison, 1:36.11.

100 backstroke – 4. Mary Macauley, 58:00.

100 breaststroke – 2. Chase Davison, 1:02.40; 4. Claire Chahbandour, 1:03.03.; 12. Anarose Schwamm, 1:09.17.
 
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