By Catherine Garrett | [email protected]

Corner Canyon High junior Karson Spencer successfully defended his 6A state title in the 100 butterfly at the state championships Feb. 19 at Brigham Young University. He also swam a leg on the championship 200 medley relay team which also included his brother, Konnor, and Jaxon Barlow and Ryan McNeill in bringing the Chargers their first relay title in school history. The top finishes helped the boys team to a runner-up finish, also setting a school mark, and earned head coach Patrick Thurman, who is assisted by Sheridyn Cook and Victoria Blow, the 6A boys coach of the year.  

“We had some great performances,” said Thurman, the only swimming coach CCHS has ever had.

Also earning All-State honors for the Corner Canyon boys were Ashton Brunt (sixth, 400 free relay), McNeill (sixth, 50 freestyle), Brandon Smith (sixth, 400 free relay), Rocky Smith (sixth, 400 free relay; seventh, 200 free relay), Karson Spencer (sixth, 200 Individual Medley; sixth, 400 free relay), Barlow (seventh, 50 free; seventh, 200 free relay), McNeil (seventh, 200 free relay; eighth, 100 free relay), Konnor Spencer (seventh, 200 free relay; eighth, 100 breaststroke)

Lily Afualo led the 11th-place girls squad with a fifth-place showing in the 500 free and the 200 free. She also swam legs on the sixth-place 400 free relay team – which also included Ruby Winget, Halle Walker and Macie Granger – and the eighth-place medley relay lineup along with Winget, Abbi Pelegrin and Walker. Winget additionally earned an All-State honor by finishing eighth in the 100 backstroke.

Also earning points at state for the Chargers were Barlow (ninth, 100 breast), Konnor Spencer (11th, 200 IM), Hugh Hammons (13th, 500 free; 14th, 200 IM), Brandon Smith (14th, 100 back; 14th, 200 free), Winget (15th, 200 free) and Rosemary Akins (16th, 100 breast)

“State took it to a whole new level,” Thurman said. “The kids battled and all contributed to the team success. Each boy had a best time during the meet and most of the girls did as well.  Only six of our 20 state swimmers had been in such a big meet before, so it definitely was a fresh experience and a learning experience.”

Also on the 2021-22 CCHS swimming team were seniors Katie Bingham, Aaron Dean, Madalyn Delis, Lily Johnson, Ashlin Richardson, Ethan Robichaux and Kail Smith; juniors Caleb Bevan, Ellie Bowler, Halle Button, Feme Chirachanakul, Bree Cruz, , Michael Dorny, Annika Gilson, Jenna Goates, Manga Hansen, Avery Hanson, Sheila Horman, Henry Horsely, Miles Johnson, Noah Moartins de Mello, Aiden McMillan, Samuel Morrell, Nicoline Mousten, Naiah Sirrine and Aden Wright; sophomores Ali Bagley, Noah Geertsen, Sophia Harward, Colin Ho, Anna Hotvedt, Ashlee Jensen, Crew Kartchner, James Lilian, Heather Lund, Alyssa Meadows, Marissa Parker, Ethan Pulley, Brayden Towns and Camden Trudo; and freshmen Jake Anderson, Jake Anderson, Lili Bailey, Sydni Barlow, Jordan Barlow, Mariam Coucoure, Landon Fitts, Lincoln Nelson, Potter Palmer, Bailey Palmer, Kenyon Roberts, Rebecca Rogness, Edin Strait and Emily Vega.

“This season has been so refreshing to me. After the challenges that we faced last year due to Covid restrictions, I loved the energy and positivity that the team showed all season,” said Thurman. “One of the great highlights of my coaching career was when several seniors qualified for state for the first time. It was so rewarding to see their years of dedication be validated with a chance to compete at the championship meet.”