The Boulder High School girls' swim team faced a challenging meet against Brighton on December 18, falling 120-66. Despite the overall loss, Boulder swimmers had standout performances in several events, showcasing their potential and providing a solid foundation to build on as the season progresses.
Huilman Leads the Charge
Junior Hazel Huilman continued her impressive season, claiming two individual victories. She dominated the 200 Individual Medley with a time of 2:09.85, finishing nearly eight seconds ahead of her closest competitor. She also delivered a win in the 100 Breaststroke, clocking in at 1:05.86, one of the fastest times in the state this season.
Chester Edges a Thrilling 100 Freestyle Finish
In one of the most exciting races of the night, senior Margaret Chester out-touched Brighton's Anna Jorstad in the 100 Freestyle, winning by just 0.01 seconds with a time of 55.10. Chester's surge in the final stretch underscored her competitive spirit and ability to rise in high-pressure moments.
Relay Teams Show Fight
Boulder's relay teams also had encouraging results, placing second in both the 200 Medley Relay (1:54.79) and the 400 Freestyle Relay (4:03.06). Strong anchor legs from Chester and Huilman helped keep Boulder competitive in these events.
Depth Developing in Distance Events
Senior Isabelle Sundberg showed grit in the 500 Freestyle, finishing second with a time of 5:58.62, and third in the 200 Freestyle with a 2:13.52. Junior Iliana Brown added a third-place finish in the 500 Freestyle, contributing to Boulder's points in endurance events.
Looking Ahead
While Brighton's depth proved too much to overcome, Boulder had several bright spots that point to growth and promise for the rest of the season. With performances from veterans like Huilman, Chester, and Sundberg and Brown, the Panthers are building momentum as they look to refine their depth in upcoming meets.
Top Boulder Finishes (Top 3)
• 200 Medley Relay
2nd: Sloan Zallen, Margaret Chester, Hazel Huilman, Iliana Brown – 1:54.79
• 200 Freestyle
3rd: Reghan Jones – 2:07.70
• 200 Individual Medley
1st: Hazel Huilman – 2:09.85
4th: Iliana Brown – 2:32.03
• 50 Freestyle
2nd: Sloan Zallen – 25.70
• 100 Freestyle
1st: Margaret Chester – 55.10
3rd: Reghan Jones – 1:00.18
• 500 Freestyle
2nd: Isabelle Sundberg – 5:58.62
3rd: Iliana Brown – 5:59.64
• 400 Freestyle Relay
2nd: Audrey Dyer, Isabelle Sundberg, Samantha Brantz, Margaret Chester – 4:03.06
Boulder's next meet is January 9th at Northglenn at 4:30 and offers another chance to turn these bright spots into a winning performance.
