Thirty years is a long period of time, no matter the context. To former Cherry Creek girls swimming head coach Eric Craven, it seems like the past 30 years went by in the blink of an eye.
 
“In my mind, it seems like I just started,” Craven remarked. “It was a great run, and I can’t believe it’s been 30 years since I took over at Cherry Creek, but 30 years was long enough.”
 
Craven announced his retirement on Aug. 11, leaving behind one of the most impressive resumes you’ll ever see from a high school coach.
 
In his 30 years at CCHS, Craven led the Bruins to 14 girls swimming state championships, seven girls swimming state runner-up finishes and 28 Centennial League championships. With that came eight CHSAA Coach of the Year honors, as well as two NFHS Coach of the Year accolades.
 
Despite all of the success, Craven knew that now was the time to hang up the whistle.
 
“Part of it was, 'I sure would like to make it to 30,'” Craven stated. “After 30 years, my energy level was not where it needed to be anymore. I’ve given 30 years of my life to the program and have been involved with swimming for over 50 years. It was just time.”
 
That does not mean he won’t miss being on the pool deck, though. In fact, far from it.
 
“I’m going to miss a lot of things, first and foremost the girls I coached,” Craven remarked. "They were all just awesome. I’m going to miss the fellow Cherry Creek coaches, as well as the swimming coaches across the state. I’m also going to miss that feeling when you’re a contender for the state title. I’ll miss that rush.”
 
In place of that rush, Craven said he plans on finally getting out and traveling, seeing parts of the world that he was unable to with the restrictions of a consistent swim schedule.
 
The Cherry Creek community will continue to be a part of his life though, no matter where he goes.
 
“I’ll have some grandkids who will be going to Cherry Creek in four to five years,” Craven said. “And while I won’t be coaching anymore, I’ll be in the background as a distant fan.”