4A Diving: Henry Palmquist Continues Evergreen’s Streak of Champions

ARVADA – It’s not three, not 4, however five-straight diving state titles now for Evergreen’s boys swimming and diving program, as Henry Palmquist was topped the 4A Boys Diving Champion early Friday afternoon on the Arvada Aquatics Center.

Palmquist completed second to his former teammate – and three-time state champion – Carson Harrington finally yr’s state meet after inserting fourth as a freshman and sophomore. Prior to Harrington, the Cougars’ Kian Smith had gained the 2022 diving title. 

“I’ve been runner-up [on our team] all of the past years; junior, sophomore and freshman year,” Palmquist said. “I’ve always had Carson Harrington beat me, as my teammate.”

This year – Palmquist’s senior season – was different though. Recording an impressive score of 621.15, Palmquist not only rose to the top, but he now owns the fifth-best all-classification mark in state meet history, and the third-best at the 4A level. 

“It was a massive weight off my shoulders. Seeing the score up there… it was a huge relief,” Palmquist said, who was named the CHSCA Diver of the Year after the meet. “I just tried my hardest. I really had no expectations going in.”

“I feel very rewarded every time they step up and make history like this,” stated Cougars head coach Brett Brinkhoff, who was voted the CHSCA Diving Coach of the Year. “We [Evergreen High School] carry nice athletes to each sport, together with diving. I’ve simply been fortunate with being part of the best model of that.”

While the fifth-straight diving title offers a little bit of a swan music for the coach, who might be retiring on the finish of this season, it additionally opens the door for a brand new champion subsequent yr. Each of the top-three finishers this yr are graduating seniors, as Green Mountain senior Britton Hooper completed runner-up with a rating of 597.50 and senior Rider Neeb of Silver Creek completed in third place with a rating of 558.55. Monarch junior Casey Halloran took fourth (553.25) and Thompson Valley’s Nathaniel Chou – a sophomore – rounded out the highest 5 with a rating of 493.35.

The 2026 4A Swimming and Diving State Championships will proceed this night with the swimming prelims on the Arvada Aquatics Center. Swimming finals are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. tomorrow.