Craig Daily Press

Craig — Walking into the Moffat County High School pool Thursday, coach Patti Worsley’s voice could be heard echoing off the walls as she barked out orders to her team.

“Power off the block,” she said to the three swimmers crouched and ready to dive in. “Remember, straight lines … go.”

The Bulldogs are in the midst of what Worsley calls “fine tuning,” as the team is practicing for the final time before the postseason begins.

MCHS begins competition today in the 4A boys swimming regionals in Glenwood Springs.

Worsley has a luxury this season she hasn’t had before during her three-year tenure as coach.

With regionals being the last opportunity for participating swimmers to qualify for the state championships May 16 and 17 in Fort Collins, Worsley said now normally is the time coaches are “stressing out.”

Not this season.

The Bulldogs have prequalified each of its three relay teams.

Senior Tyler Kalsow has prequalified in the 100-yard freestyle and the 50-free.

Steamboat Springs senior Cole Worsley, who swims for Moffat County, is prequalified in the 50-free, the 100-free, the 200-free, the 100-butterfly and the 500-free.

Fellow Sailor Kyle Steitz has prequalified in the 100-backstroke.

Another luxury afforded to Worsley is the ability to rotate members of the relay teams.

MCHS swimmers who don’t qualify this weekend can be added to the relay teams.

Worsley said four MCHS swimmers fall into that category:

Freshman Charlie Griffiths, brothers Chance and Chet Peterson and Steamboat Sailor Greg Ingles.

“That’s what we are looking for this weekend,” Worsley said. “We want to see if we can get some of those guys on the relay teams in different spots.

“That’s the nice thing about swimming. You can slide kids in that wouldn’t normally get a chance.”

Worsley recalls her first season as MCHS swim coach, having just one swimmer prequalified come regional time.

“We had one kid — Cole, qualified,” Worsley said. “We had to wait until the last minute, and all we added was two more swimmers at regionals. This year is nice. To have that many boys qualified this early is great. It takes away some of the pressure and lets them focus on the little things.”

Kalsow is making his fourth trip to regionals.

His goals are simple.

“I feel a lot stronger than I have before,” he said. “I’m a senior, and this is kind of my last shot. I don’t want to come in last. It’s all or nothing right now.”

John Vandelinder can be reached at 875-1793, or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com