Finley Anderson of Evergreen High School

Steve Smith

DENVER – Two swimmers. Two schools. The same goal: To exceed what were very strong junior seasons in the pool.

Evergreen is seeking its fifth straight team title. One of the reasons is junior Finley Anderson. She was part of the state-title winning foursome in the 200-yard medley relay. She won the 100- butterfly and the 100- backstroke. She helped the Cougars’ 400- freestyle relay team to a fifth-place finish.

“We have had a huge team and a lot of depth the last two years. And we have a bunch of freshmen,” she said during the Colorado High School Activities Association’s media day for winter sport athletes Nov. 8 at Empower Field. “It’s important for me to build on these events. I’m excited to be doing it again this year.”

The Cougars open up the season at Littleton High School at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 29.

“We’re going for No. 5,” she said. “As long as we stick to what we’re going and stick together as a team, we’re going to do great.”

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Legacy’s Sabrina Rachjaibun put together a strong performance a year ago at the state 5A swim meet. For openers, she took fourth in the 200-yard individual medley. 

“It takes a lot of work, especially on the under-waters,” she said during CHSAA’s media for winter sports athletes Nov. 8 at Empower Field. 

She took second in the 500- freestyle and helped the Lightning’s 200- medley relay team to a fifth-place finish. Rachjaibun also helped her team to a fourth-place finish in the 400- freestyle relay.

“I love to compete, whether it’s the 200 ... any race,” she said. “As a freshman I took third. As a freshman, I was new to the sport. I didn’t know how to work with a team. Now, I have the chance to bring that to this team.”

And she’s back for her senior season, too. The Lightning begin the season Friday, Dec. 2, at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton. Start time has not been announced.

“It takes work and endurance. I’m excited to have someone to race,” she said. “Mentally, you can overthink. Physically, you can have a good day or a bad day. Mentally, you can go any way. I stress about all my races. I’ve overcome it. But it is a big deal. As you get older, it becomes more important."