Boys Swimming & Diving: Kerrigan Including Cheyenne Mountain’s Legacy

AURORA — Long earlier than he joined this system, Barrett Kerrigan knew of Cheyenne Mountain’s success. 

“The swim club that I was a part of at the time practiced at the high school pool,” he stated. “If you ever go into the Cheyenne Mountain pool, there’s banners all over the walls just showing the great teams that have been there in the past. I got to look up at all the record boards and see the past swimmers from Cheyenne Mountain that put up really impressive times.”

And now Kerrigan is considered one of them as a two-time state champion within the 500-yard freestyle in Class 4A. 

“He just has this unique ability of kind of knowing where everybody else is in the water,” Cheyenne Mountain coach Kate Doane stated. “He knows when he can turn it on and put his hand on the wall first. He has a great ability of just turning that switch on, which is great in anything distance.”

The CHSAA Swimming & Diving State Championships for 5A and 4A are set for May 8 and 9 at Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton.

During his highschool profession for the Hawks, Kerrigan has been atop the mountain as the highest 4A long-distance swimmer by profitable the five hundred freestyle title his sophomore and junior years. He swam his private greatest time on the state meet in 2025, cruising to the end in 4 minutes, 35.60 seconds. 

Kerrigan has but to interrupt any faculty data, however the marks are lofty. After all, the boys program has received eight staff state championships. The title haul started in 2000. 

Nonetheless, in his closing highschool season he could take down one or two program data. He is that quick. 

“I’m just excited to hopefully watch him fulfill some dreams this year,” Doane stated a couple of senior who might high the 200 and 500 freestyle data for Cheyenne Mountain. 

The Air Force Academy recruit is aware of his work ethic and stable method within the pool has paid off. He was immediately among the many greatest in 4A within the 500 freestyle. Even as a freshman, he earned fifth place on the state championships. 

But he wanted to make a big bounce in his efficiency to contend for a title sophomore 12 months. 

In 2024, the standout held off Glenwood Springs’ William Jones by about one second to win the occasion in 4:38.84. 

”Winning the primary one was a tremendous feeling, one thing I had by no means executed earlier than,” Kerrigan stated. “I had always wanted to win a state championship, but as an underclassman I didn’t know how achievable that was going to be. After I won that one it really put the pressure on to win again.”

Kerrigan was in a position to repeat as 4A’s premier long-distance swimmer by defeating Jones once more together with his private file time of 4:35.60. This time, he was over three seconds forward. 

Of course, considered one of Cheyenne Mountain’s biggest swimmers is in search of a three-repeat. He could have a shot at incomes gold within the 200 freestyle as nicely although. Sixth-place finishes the previous two seasons displayed his capability.

“I am sure he would love to be a two-time state champion individually (for this season),” Doane stated. “I am sure he would love to be part of a relay state championship. We’re doing what we can to make that happen.”

The mixture of swimming for his membership staff in Colorado Springs, in addition to the powerhouse Cheyenne Mountain program, has pushed Kerrigan to even quicker occasions.

In his Sectional meet, which was the ultimate membership meet of his season, Kerrigan notched a number of private data. 

Oh, and in his solely meet for Cheyenne Mountain thus far in 2026 he instantly certified for the state championships within the 200 freestyle, 200 particular person medley, 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle, and 500 freestyle. 

Five of his teammates have additionally turned within the occasions they wanted, together with Doane’s son ,Townes. He is just a freshman, however has already notched six qualifying occasions. 

The Hawks definitely boast a proficient group of swimmers and divers (two qualifiers), and sat at No. 3 within the preseason CHSAANow.com rankings. Defending staff champion Monarch is the early favourite, whereas Evergreen is No. 2.

“We are building,” Doane stated. “There’s a lot of really good swimmers out there. Swimming is fast in 4A and 5A. It’s a great compliment for sure. We are building to try and do the best that we can.”

Cheyenne Mountain nabbed fifth place as a staff final 12 months and third in 2024. It conquered 4A because the champions throughout Kerrigan’s freshman 12 months. 

Doane was the boys coach for a few years, with a tenure from 2010-22, however stepped away for 3 years. Now she is again. She has coached the women program constantly since 2008. 

The Hawks earned 4 boys state titles underneath her, in addition to three women championships.

The solely faculty apart from Cheyenne Mountain that has received extra staff state championships throughout all sports activities in Colorado historical past is Cherry Creek.

“It starts at the top,” Doane stated. “Excellence is expected in the district. I teach in the district and that’s what’s been taught. Excellence is important. We’re training over Spring Break. We’re still holding practices. There is no down time. We’re all training year-round. I think it’s fun to represent Cheyenne Mountain. I am proud to coach at Cheyenne Mountain.”

Kerrigan additionally believes strongly in this system and is aware of the staff will likely be a contender once more this season. It expects to compete nicely with fellow Pikes Peak Athletic Conference rivals Discovery Canyon and Lewis-Palmer, who have been ranked seventh and eighth in 4A. The Hawks hope to seal a convention championship and end high 5 within the state meet. 

“We have amazing coaching and then we also have a really good team culture,” Kerrigan stated. “I think it’s just a really welcoming environment in which kids want to succeed and start to really improve in the pool.”

The development has continued with Kerrigan as he appears to be like to have a record-breaking senior season and lock up a number of state championships. 

Cheyenne Mountain swimmers have definitely thrived within the pool, as Daniel Carr positioned eighth within the Olympic Trials and, for the women, Caroline Bricker received a nationwide championship individually for Stanford final 12 months. 

Kerrigan is aware of what it might imply to be on the file board, as does his coach. 

“To be on the Cheyenne Mountain swimming and diving team, these guys are proud to represent,” Doane stated. “I think he’s going to have a great year.”