THORNTON – Many races were won and numerous medals were handed out during the Class 3A girls swimming and diving state championships on Saturday.
 
But a special award left Veterans Memorial Aquatics Center in the hands of Aspen senior Kayla Tehrani. That was the Swimmer of the Year award.
 
Not based solely on performance, but perhaps more on being a high-character representative of the sport, the Swimmer of the Year award is voted on by the coaches and typically goes home with one of the more well-respected athletes competing at each year’s state meet.
 
This year, that was Tehrani.
 
“It’s really exciting, especially since I got it last year as well and I wasn’t expecting to get it again,” Tehrani said. “It’s such an honor to be able to get this and know that all of these coaches are seeing me and that it’s the way I carry myself. I feel like it’s an honor to be voted on by so many coaches and I’m just so happy.”

Tehrani finished runner-up in the 100 butterfly and helped lead the Skiers to an eighth-place finish in the team standings. She won the 100 butterfly in 2021.