THORNTON – The Cherry Creek boys swim and dive team got a nice boost as they go for their third team championship in four seasons, as Bruins sophomore Luke Ogren captured the 2023 5A boys diving title Thursday afternoon, May 11, at the Veteran's Memorial Aquatic Center.
 
The sophomore maintained a steady lead throughout the competition, completing his 11-dive total with a score of 553.55, 30.1 points clear of runner-up, Rampart senior Bryce Porter, who tallied a 523.45.
 
“This feels amazing,” Ogren exclaimed after receiving his first-place medal. “I didn’t think I’d win this in just my sophomore year, but it feels great to accomplish that goal.”
 
Last year as a freshman, Ogren was the highest returning 5A placer, taking fifth with a score of 495.40. Porter was the next highest returner, as he took 10th with a 446.70.
 
This time around, the top-two were over 42 points clear of third place after the second dive break, where Porter trailed Ogren by 12.60 points. At the end, the top-two were clear cut, as Porter finished ahead of third place by over 57 points.
 
“(Bryce) pushed me a lot,” Ogren added. “Luckily I perform great under pressure, so that competition really pushed me to do my best.”
 
With the first-place finish, Ogren has earned 24 crucial team points for his Cherry Creek squad, as they go for their first title since 2021, and third in the last four championships. Last season, the Bruins finished runner-up to Regis Jesuit, 467-403.
 
“It means a lot to me to help my team,” Ogren said. “Almost more than just winning individually, it feels great to help out my team as a whole.”
 
Ogren’s individual title marks back-to-back diving crowns for the Bruins, after Conrad Eck won last season. It is the third individual diving title in program history.
 
Rounding out the top-10 divers to earn medals were Chatfield’s Brecken Moran in third, Arvada West’s Alex Lein in fourth, Fairview’s Cal Hammond in fifth, Heritage’s Jordan Mingo in sixth, Arvada West’s Carter Daharsh in seventh, Greeley West’s Everett Mash in eighth, Ralston Valley’s Alex Kreidler in ninth, and Arvada West’s Nathan Bierbrauer in tenth.