THORNTON — Jennifer Young likes to joke around with Emily Austin, telling her Broomfield swimming coach that she’s just going to take it easy in the summer.
After all, Young was a freshman on the Eagles varsity squad last winner, so coming back to compete in the 13-14 age group in the summertime is something that can be met with a yawn.
She’s kidding of course.
One look at the final-round heat sheets at the Boulder Valley Summer Swim League Finals revealed as much Saturday, as Young was the top individual scorer in 13-14s after a standout performance at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center.
“It’s more for fun than anything,” Young said. “There is some decent competition, but I still like to have fun with it. I always like to joke with (Austin) that I’m only going to go ‘this’ fast and save the rest for high school season.”
Under Austin’s watchful eye, Young and others understand that they better not take things too lightly. Young finished with 57 points and teammate Maddie McClain was right behind with 56. Those two, along with fellow sophomore-to-be Kira Wolfmeier, represent a hefty piece of the future for the Eagles.
“This is my last summer swim, so with me being in high school, this prepares you for what comes next,” McClain said. “This is a step below high school but it really gets you ready for what the future brings. I really want to show (Austin) that I’m capable of doing the IM.”
Mission accomplished for McClain, who won the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:28.21 and also won the 200 free (2:08.04). The trio of McClain, Young and Wolfmeier also teamed with Shana Cote to finish second in the 200 medley relay.
Young rocketed her way to overall points champion by winning the 100 backstroke, the 100 freestyle and finishing second in the 50 freestyle. In the 100 free, she held off Wolfmeier, who finished third (.86 behind Young’s 58.38).
“When I came off my first turn, I saw her and she was a little bit ahead of me,” Young said. “I was thinking, ‘oh, maybe I need to push it a little bit harder.’ I finally caught up to her. She pushed me and I pushed her.”
Wolfmeier also finished fifth in the 50 free and eighth in the 100 breaststroke.
“It was a little slower than high school season because I’m not in as good of shape,” Wolfmeier said. “But I’m looking forward to next season, because I really want to qualify for state in the 100 free.”
It Saturday proved anything, it’s that the trio of Young, McClain and Wolfmeier will be a key part of Broomfield swimming moving forward.
“I think so,” McClain said. “We’ll all be in the medley together in high school, and I think that we’ll show that Broomfield will continue to have a really good swim team.”
Follow Paul on Twitter:
@PaulWillis21
