By Brian Shaw | [email protected]

Over the years, the way the Cottonwood swimmers prepare for their state tournament surge is a slow but deliberate build, head coach Ron Lockwood said back in 2019. 

As the meets go on, each swimmer is given a list of to-do’s—the first being the most important: build up your endurance. Next, work on your technique. 

And finally, shave down your finish times until your body is sculpted, your mind is sharp and you are ready to explode from the starting line, shimmering in the waters of the BYU Natatorium on a Saturday in late February, your eye on that ultimate prize. 

Cottonwood senior Jacob Ricci appears to again be ready to contend for state individual titles in several disciplines later this month, building into that championship form. 

At the South Davis Aquatic Center in Bountiful on Feb. 6, Ricci sped to a Region 6 championship, winning the 100 freestyle with a time of 47.28, then took another Region 6 title home to Cottonwood Heights with a victory in the 100 backstroke, touching the wall in 51.99. 

The Colts boys also qualified for state in the 200 medley relay, finishing in second place with a time of 1:38.47. 

On the girls side, three swimmers qualified for state, most notably Lily Cole who finished third in both the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle. Natty Alonso did so with a third place finish in the 100 backstroke, as did Adessa Talbot in the 200 individual medley with her bronze medal. 

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Class 5A state tournament will be held at a new venue, the Wasatch Aquatic Center in Heber City Feb. 19-20.