Preps: Eagles’ swimmers blast off

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, March 25, 1999 | 12:03 p.m.

Upstart Boulder City poses threat ro region's perennial powerhouses

Over the years, Boulder City High has had little trouble staying competitive with its Class 3A brethren, winning zone and state titles in several sports during the 1990s.

Competing with the nearby Las Vegas-area 4A schools for recognition and respect, on the other hand, has been another story. One of only three 3A programs in Southern Nevada, the Eagles often find themselves far outside the prep spotlight.

Earlier this month, however, Boulder City's girls swimmers served notice that they may be bucking that trend very soon.

The Eagles, who compete in the 4A ranks in swimming, raced past top local foes such as Green Valley and Silverado en route to four first-place finishes at this year's Sunrise Division Relay Meet.

And that showing is giving Boulder City's swim team hope that this season might be the Eagles' coming out party.

"You always hear about those teams, about how big those schools are, so it was nice to beat them," Boulder City senior Kara Lundgaard said. "I have nothing against Green Valley or Silverado, it's just nice to beat them."

The Eagles may find themselves beating the area's traditional swimming powers more often as the season progresses, thanks to the presence of four experienced swimmers: Lundgaard, sophomore Cortney Broadbent and freshmen Katie Tyler and Erin Holland.

Broadbent and Lundgaard, whose mother, Sara Carroll, coaches the team, are a pair of former club swimmers who no longer spend their off-season in the pool. Instead, the duo plays basketball in the winter, having helped the Eagles to an appearance in this year's 3A state semifinals.

Those two veterans have been joined by Tyler and Holland, two year-round swimmers who compete for the Boulder City Swim Club.

So far, the mix of new and old has been a perfect blend for the Eagles. The foursome captured the 200 medley, 200 freestyle, 200 backstroke and 400 medley relays in the Sunrise Relay Meet.

And, listening to Carroll, it's clear the Boulder City coach believes her swimmers have what it takes to make a lot more noise come playoff time.

"I knew we'd be pretty good, and I think the girls are real excited about the relays," Carroll said. "And I also think it's possible any of those four will make state in individual events."

Lundgaard already has considerable postseason experience, having earned state berths in the 50 free and 100 back as a sophomore and junior. But it has been five years since an Eagle relay team qualified for the state meet.

"That's our goal," Lundgaard said. "We want to finish in the top four at zones in the relays and make it to state."

And maybe these Eagles swimmers can change the way people look at Boulder City High School athletics.

"A lot of Boulder City people think that in order to be good, their kids have to go to Las Vegas schools," Carroll said. "We want them to know we do have some good programs here."