3A girls swimming: Thomas powers Discovery Canyon to best finish in program history

THORNTON – Julia Thomas had only imagined what it would feel like to win a state championship. Heading into the Class 4A state meet, the Discovery Canyon junior had yet to claim a state gold medal but had the opportunity to win several.

She took advantage of the opportunity. She proved herself to be the best sprinter in the state as she claimed the 50- and 100-yard freestyle titles.

“It felt awesome,” Thomas said. “It was so fun and so exciting. I don’t really know what to say.”

It wasn’t just a thrilling moment for her, it was a necessity to keep the Thunder in the hunt for its first team girls swimming state championship in school history. The day started well for the Thunder as Victoria Sanders claimed the 3A diving title.

They began the swim finals with a third-place finish in the 200 medley relay. Freshman Madison Wagner went into the 200 individual medley as the top seed but was overtaken by St. Mary’s Academy’s Caitlin Crysel on the third leg of the race.

“I can’t say I was disappointed,” Wagner said. “I dropped a lot of time and it was a fun race.”

That moment was a reminder to Thomas that no race is given, regardless of seed. She pushed herself through every second of the sprint, even as Wildcats’ senior Kalie Linden tried to close the gap.

“I have to give everything I have,” Thomas said. “That girl was really close to me, in second, at the end there. I can’t think that I have everything or take everything for granted. I just need to be thankful for every opportunity that I have and go give it my all.”

Following another second-place finish from Wagner, this one in the 500 freestyle. For a brief moment, the Thunder held the lead in the team standings but with just one finalist in the 100 backstroke and no finalists in the 100 breaststroke, a team title was not in the cards, but the Thunder did finish as the runner-up, its best finish in program history.

Still, early in the meet, the thought of contributing to a team championship is what pushed Thomas drove Thomas to swim at her best.

“(Going for a team title is) what gives me the push,” she said.

She also had some added motivation as teammate Eden Nolan was in the same heat, just two lanes away. Nolan finished sixth in the event. They’ve practiced and competed in the event together all year long and it was just another wrinkle that led to a result that the Thunder needed.

“In that 50, my teammate Eden, we always race in the race, and it helps me so much,” Thomas said. “I don’t think I could race without her in that race.”

The team mentality is what keeps this program improving each season. Taking second can’t even be a disappointment and all it does it reset their goals for next season and make winning a team title more of a priority.

“I want that so bad,” Wagner said. “I’m just so proud of getting second and sharing it with this amazing team that I have. We’re going to get it eventually and I just can’t wait for that moment.”