CORTEZ – While many youths couldn’t wait for the Cortez Municipal Pool to reopen its gates after Memorial Day, the Cortez Water Dragons swim club had already been hard at work in the pool for weeks.
Granted, when the Water Dragons got their season started, it was in the Cortez Recreation Center’s indoor pool, but by the time they got their first taste of outdoor competition, they were ready to show off the dividends of their preparation.
Over the weekend of May 30 – June 1, the Water Dragons hosted the Cortez Open swim meet – the first of a couple of meets this season in their home waters, drawing in hundreds of contestants from around the region to test themselves in the different age group competitions.
The Water Dragons themselves boast over 80 participants this year ranging in age from 5 to 17, according to head coach Sarah Brock, and under the guidance of the six coaches on staff, those athletes learn everything from the basics of floating and early stroke development for the beginners all the way to competition strategies and proper nutrition for more advanced swimmers.
“First and foremost, we want to make sure everyone is having a great time and being safe,” said Brock, “our team is so tight knit, supportive, and welcoming of new friends.”
The club focuses on developing life skills and sportsmanship, as well as navigating the challenges that are inherent with trying one’s hardest. “We cheer one another on through the hard swims, through the heartbreak of disqualification, and the victories of making new time cuts or trying a new race,” said the Water Dragons head coach.
The Water Dragons even welcomed in a couple of athletes from Gunnison as part of their team when their coach was unable to attend the Cortez Open. “That’s what this sport is about, not letting the competition get in the way of what’s most important – we’ll be cheering on those girls as if they were our own,” said Brock.
Brock’s team is composed of plenty of athletes who have made it part of their summer tradition – while some of the newcomers learn the ropes before dipping their toes into actual competitions.
On top of learning the ins and outs of the sport, the Water Dragons also value the dedication and discipline that it takes to pursue personal bests and opportunities to be competitive with other athletes from across the state.
Entering their home meet weekend, the Water Dragons already had qualified over two dozen athletes in over 70 events for the state championship meet – which Cortez will also host on Aug. 1-3.
“We want to be a dominating force at our state meet, especially since we’re hosting it this year,” added Brock.
The whole Water Dragons operation comes on the backs of community support and countless hours from a volunteer board and local sponsors. “With a lot of our equipment wearing out over the past few years, our community answered the call and has breathed life into our team by helping us with costs,” said Brock, “everything from the big scoreboard at the outdoor pool, new starting blocks, and storage for our touch pads – the community of Cortez has been the backbone of our success.”
“We also want to thank the city of Cortez pool staff, because if we don’t have certified lifeguards willing to work, then we don’t get to practice,” added Brock.
The Water Dragons have several more meets throughout the summer leading up to their state meet, including action in Telluride on June 28, a meet in Montrose on the following weekend, before the Western Slope League championships on July 11-13 in Grand Junction.
For community members wanting to get involved with the program, the Water Dragons are still accepting new registrations for the next couple of weeks, and can be contacted through ctzwaterdragons@gmail.com or on their Facebook or Instagram social media presence.
In their home waters, the Water Dragons navigated their way to plenty of impressive performances, including a bevy of personal bests throughout the weekend’s action on their way to winning the short course competition (12 and under – 25 yards) on Friday.
Then on Saturday and Sunday, the CWD competed well against some of the region’s year-round programs, taking third in the combined boys and girls team scores in the long course (50-meter).
According to Coach Brock, among the many highlights included 8-year-old Boaz McCade scoring the most points among boys competitors in the Friday action, while 6-year-old Luella Brock was the top point-scorer in the girls competition in the short course.
Then, in long course action, 11-year-old Parker Pearson took second in her age group in the 400-meter freestyle, while fellow 11-year-old Leslee Martinez won the 1,500-meter race. Both of the feats were additionally impressive due to the fact that distance events are particularly difficult to train for given the Water Dragons’ shorter season.
“We had plenty of personal bests and state qualifications,” reflected Brock, “all-in-all, it was an amazing weekend.”
This article was updated June 5 to add the results from a competition at home this weekend.
