The Aspen Swim Club has concluded an immensely successful summer season, culminating in a strong showing at state competitions where seven of its dedicated youth athletes delivered impressive performances.
Over the past two weeks, the upper valley’s premier youth swimming organization proudly sent five of its athletes to the highly competitive Colorado Swimming Senior Long Course State Championships, while an additional two swimmers competed at the Age Group Long Course State Championships. These key events marked a significant milestone, capping a summer characterized by remarkable growth and unwavering commitment from its young members.
Coach Tom Jager praised the resilience and spirit within his team, highlighting the formidable challenges some athletes overcame during the rigorous summer training and competition schedule. He noted, “There were a few athletes that had some great fortitude on our team this summer and they went through a lot of stuff,” emphasizing the mental toughness alongside physical prowess.
Among the standout performers, Whitney McManus, the most senior member of the club during the summer, distinguished herself in the 15-and-up circuit. Her exceptional efforts led to a seventh-place finish at state in both the 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke, coupled with a personal best time in the demanding 400 individual medley, solidifying her status as the team’s highest finisher.
Further elevating the club’s profile, Khan-Farooqi is set to represent the state of Colorado at the prestigious Western Zone Age Group Championships. This major event, hosted in Elk Grove, California, is anticipated to draw approximately 700 athletes from around 14 western states, showcasing a broad spectrum of talent in youth competitive swimming.
The Gieszls also capitalized on unique competitive dynamics, seizing the opportunity to place well against higher-tier competition within a thinner field. This advantageous situation, as reported by Becky Jager, arose because many other top swimmers in their age classification were concurrently participating in sectional meets, creating a more open path for the Gieszls to demonstrate their capabilities.
With the demanding state competitions now behind them, the Aspen Swim Club is taking a well-deserved, brief hiatus before resuming its activities on August 18th to kick off the fall season. This upcoming season is scheduled to run through April, promising another period of intense training and competitive opportunities for its dedicated athletes.
Adding significant strength to the coaching staff for the new season is Lily Borgenheimer, an accomplished former Colorado Mesa University athlete and an Olympic Trials participant. A native of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Borgenheimer boasts an impressive resume, including being an NCAA Division II national champion in the 200 breaststroke in 2022 and holding seven CMU school records, bringing invaluable experience and expertise to the team’s athlete development programs.
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