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Coach Patti Worsley

Photo by Hans Hallgren

Front row from left, Ryan Just, Tyler Kalsow and Chet Peterson; back row from left: Cole Worsley, Devyn Reece and Andrew Aultman. Missing from the photo are Brandon Corey, Kyle Steitz, Cody Poirot and Charlie Griffiths.

Craig — No diver.

A state championship contender.

And a couple of swimmers from Steamboat Springs.

That's what you'll see when taking a look at this year's Moffat County High swim team.

Coach Patti Worsley likes the vision.

"I think we can qualify four or five kids for the state championships this year," she said. "If we can have four individuals get there and then add some others in the relay teams, I think that would make this year a successful season for us."

Her son, Steamboat junior Cole Worsley, returns for the Bulldogs. He recorded a second-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle and a third-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle at last year's state championship.

"His goal is to win both the 50 and the 100 this year," Worsley said. "He has the fastest preliminary times in the state already this year in both events, so it will be a challenge for him to hang on to those spots. He's determined to be the champ."

The lack of a diver to don the blue and white trunks for Moffat County this year isn't something new to Worsley. In fact, she said she doesn't think it will even be an issue when considering team points.

"We've never had a diver in my time here" at Moffat County, the third-year coach said. "It's only one event, and hopefully our strengths in the other events will pull us through."

Her task as coach this year?

"I want all the kids to have perfect strokes," Worsley said. "We don't necessarily have a lot of swimmers, but we have a lot of talent."

Worsley points to the potential of freshman Charlie Griffiths.

"His strokes look really good," she said. "Most new swimmers only have a few different types of strokes, and Charlie has all the strokes, so he should do well."

Worsley said Devyn Reese is "coming along nicely" and to watch out for Chet Peterson and Kyle Steitz.

"Chet is a strong swimmer who is coming back," she said. "And, Kyle is another kid from Steamboat who has a lot of drive to do well. I'm anxious to see how well they perform this season."

Worsley said her biggest challenge will be to qualify the relay teams for state.

"I would like to win some of the dual meets we have this year," she said. "But I really want to get these relay teams qualified this year. We have a great group of boys this year. I think we will do well."