Glenwood Springs boys swim team will continue making waves

GLENWOOD SPRINGS — Knowing the boys swimming program at Glenwood Springs High School would be shelved if no one stepped up to man the coaching reins, Amanda Moore and Steve Vanderhoof came to the rescue.

But only after a wild turn of events endangered the program.

Jamie Kujawa, coach of the Sopris Barracudas youth swim club, had been slated to take over the boys program before abruptly moving out of the Glenwood Springs area and work conflicts prevented last year’s boys coach, Keith Giezentanner, from returning for a second season. So, with few swimmers on the team and no coach, Glenwood entertained the idea of eliminating the boys swim program altogether.

Then along came Moore and Vanderhoof, who agreed to co-coach the Demons, at least for this season.

“The school district was going to scrap the program, so Steve and I agreed to step up,” Moore said, “to make sure it continues, at least for another year.”

And so, with a six-swimmer team, Glenwood boys swimming lives on.

Three Demons are back from last year’s team: Rifle High School senior George Keeper and Glenwood juniors Luke Johnson and Alex Moore.

New to the team are Basalt High’s Craig Riggins and Glenwood freshmen Cole Newton and Geoffrey Moore.

“They’re looking solid,” said Moore, who also serves as president of the Barracudas board of directors and is the mother of Alex and Geoffrey. “The guys are definitely picking their favorite strokes.”

Alex Moore is the lone state qualifier among the returning trio. He went to state as part of the 400-yard freestyle relay team. Graduated Demons Bryce McDermott (200, 500 freestyle), Raphael Joly (100 backstroke) and Jamie Giezentanner (part of the 400 free team) were also on hand for the state meet in Fort Collins.

Sending a few to state this year would be huge, said Coach Moore.

“We were hoping for George [to make it last year] before he ran into some issues,” she said. “We hope to see him back. Craig [who used to swim for the Barracudas] hasn’t been in the water in a while, but before he left he had some incredible times, and we’re hoping to send a relay team, at least.”

More than qualifying kids for state, though, Moore just hopes to see the program live on.

With a tinge of hope to her voice, Moore added: “The Barracudas definitely have some more swimmers coming up.”

Glenwood Springs Boys Swimming Co-Head Coaches: Amanda Moore and Steve Vanderhoof, first year Seniors lost from last year: Three. First Meet: Saturday at Grand Junction Relays.