The Pagosa Lakes Porpoises Swim Team traveled to Gunnison, Colo., to compete against eight regional teams June 5-7, returning home with plenty to celebrate after earning a fourth‑place team finish.
Representing Pagosa Springs with determination, sportsmanship and unmistakable team spirit, the Porpoises delivered strong performances throughout the three‑day Gunnison Invitational.
Athletes rose to the challenge in every race, posting personal records and showcasing the progress they’ve made throughout the season.
“What stood out most wasn’t just the improvement to our times on the scoreboard,” said coach Matt Nobles. “It was the way our swimmers supported each other, encouraged their teammates and competed with confidence. We continue to see tremendous growth, both in and out of the pool.”
Several Porpoises achieved new qualifying times for the Colorado State Seasonal Meet, with standout swims across multiple age groups. While not every exceptional performance can be listed, several highlights from the weekend include:
• Girls’ 10 and under 200-yard freestyle relay: first place — Ellie White, Macy Schick, Lindsey Braun and Haley Hilgemann.
• Girls’ 11-12 200-yard medley relay: second place — Eleanor Samu, Emmary Brewer, Kimberly Taylor and Ainsley Bracken.
• Emmary Brewer: first place in the girls’ 11-12 50-yard freestyle, out‑touching 17 swimmers and setting a new personal best.
• Brooke Anderson: second place in the girls’ 13-14 50-yard freestyle.
• Leilani Snell: third place in the girls’ 15 and over 50-yard freestyle.
• Elias Gorman and Elliot Baird: fourth- and fifth-place finishes in the boys’ 13-14 500-yard freestyle, with both swimmers earning personal bests in every event they competed in.
The Gunnison Invitational marks another meaningful step in what has been an exciting and fast‑growing season for the Porpoises. Participation has surged to more than 50 swimmers at practice, all training under the guidance of Nobles.
With upcoming meets in Montrose and Alamosa, the Porpoises remain focused on improvement, teamwork, and having fun.
Whether touching the wall first or dropping time from a previous best, the Porpoises continue to prove that hard work, dedication and team pride make waves far beyond the pool deck.
>