CARBON VALLEY – Hearts are bursting after Erie’s swim team won their last home duel of the season 93-82 against Centaurus.

The swim team was the last opportunity for sisters, Raegyn and Parker Patzer to participate in together. Tonight meant so much to them as it was one last hurrah before Raegyn graduates. “I am so glad I was able to read my sister, Raegyn’s senior piece, even though it made me very emotional.” sophomore Parker exclaimed.

Senior night gives the chance to celebrate the upperclassmen who will be graduating but also allows for reflection of the past season – from meets to the retreat.

As Raegyn Patzer put it, “This season has been truly amazing, when I was writing about my favorite memory, I struggled with choosing just one as many of my peers have made such an impact on my experience on the swim team.” 

During the senior celebration, juniors and a sophomore talked about each of the seniors and the impact they have made on the team throughout the season as well as a snapshot of what comes next for them. Everyone from the coaches to the parents to the swimmers – all of their eyes swelled with tears as the realization sank home that next year’s team wouldn’t be the same.  

Courtney Giordano and Nyah Sanchez, Erie’s two senior divers, tied for first place. Giordano exclaimed, “My favorite part of senior night was being able to dive alongside my best friend, Nyah.” 

Kylie McDonald, a senior swimmer celebrated not only senior night but also her birthday. “This has been such a sentimental moment, I was more than excited to be able to celebrate with my team as they have made me feel very loved today.”

The night was also a big one for freshman Kambrie Payne, who qualified for state in the 100 meter fly with a time of 1:08.28.

Payne was the only new state qualifier for the Tigers. They compete next weekend in Greeley West for their last meet before state.

Here is the updated state qualifier database:

Diving (6 – 180 (9.5), 11 – 290 (11.1))

Nyah Sanchez (Sr) – 376.3

Courtney Giordano (Sr) – 345.75

Sarah Forsythe (Jr) – 303.80

Kendyl Tyson (So) – 292.27

50 Free (27.80)

Payten Irwin (Sr) – 25.35

Anna Lillie (Fr) – 26.00

Meredith Olson (Sr) – 27.4

Kambrie Payne (Fr) – 27.53

100 Free (1:01.50)

Payten Irwin (Sr) – 56.00

Anna Lillie (Fr) – 57.51

Kambrie Payne (Fr) – 1:00.31

Meredith Olson (Sr) – 1:00.66

Anna Dunn (Fr) – 1:01.12

200 Free (2:16.00)

Payten Irwin (Sr) – 2:02.59

Anna Lillie (Fr) – 2:12.43

Anna Dunn (Fr) – 2:14.44

Kambrie Payne (Fr) – 2:15.96

500 Free (6:15.00)

Payten Irwin (Sr) – 5:38.19

Izzy Schneider (Jr) – 6:03.70

Anna Dunn (Fr) – 6:08.50

Anna Lillie (Fr) – 6:10.64

Kambrie Payne (Fr) – 6:11.26

100 Fly (1:10.50)

Payten Irwin (Sr) – 57.56

Kambrie Payne (Fr) – 1:08.28

100 Breast (1:20.50)

Payten Irwin (Sr) – 1:12.78

Anna Dunn (Fr) – 1:15.45

Anna Lillie (Fr) – 1:20.07

April Fabre (Jr) – 1:20.26

100 Back (1:10.00) 

Anna Dunn (Fr) – 1:06.91

Anna Lillie (Fr) – 1:07.87

200 IM (2:36.00)

Payten Irwin (Sr) – 2:14.42

Anna Dunn (Fr) – 2:33.86

200 Medley Relay (2:10.00)

1:59.21 (Lillie, Dunn, Irwin, Payne)

200 Free Relay (1:56.00)

1:48.00 (Lille, Dunn, Payne, Irwin)

400 Free Relay (4:16.00)

3:52.00 (Lillie, Payne, Dunn, Irwin)