For many high school swimmers, the State Swim Meet is a highlight of the season. February 2026, swimmer Colbie Brown was one of several athletes on Salida’s swim team who went to State. The team finished 12th out of 27 teams, with multiple swimmers qualifying for finals.
State competition joined together some of the fastest swimmers all over Colorado, making this state meet far more intense and exciting. For Brown, the meet felt very different from a regular season meet. “It’s a little bit more stressful but it’s also fun at the same time.” Brown said. “So it’s more pressure since it’s such a big meet, but then it’s fun because you all are having your last meet with your seniors.”
With a big meet like state, there also comes bigger crowds. Large crowds and high expectations can make racing more intimidating, but for Brown that is no problem. “I think for a lot of people, it stressed them out a bit more,” Brown said. “Personally, I like the crowd cheering so it can ease my nerves … and there’s just so many people cheering for you.”
Brown competed in two individual races at state: the 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. Brown shares, “I think my 100 free was definitely my best race. I can’t remember what I got, but I placed pretty well overall.” Brown said the backstroke race was more serious and tense, but watching and participating in relays apart from individual events was one of the most enjoyable parts of the meet.
One of the biggest differences Brown noticed in between usual meets and the State meet was the competition. “It’s definitely a lot more competitive,” Brown said. “At a normal meet, the fastest time in the 100 free would’ve been like a 57, which is what I swim. It was a 52. So, very, very competitive, and you get to see some insane times.”
Other than the pressure, Brown said the environment created by the team helped keep everyone motivated and focused throughout the whole meet. “I think we were all able to support each other and calm each other’s nerves and just have fun,” Brown said. “When I was freaking out a little bit or having a stressful moment, they calmed me down and supported me.”
This State meet was especially meaningful for the team members who will have to say goodbye to the seniors who graduate in 2027. “It was also really fun getting to be a part of the seniors’ last race,” Brown said.
One moment that stood out during the meet was an extremely close relay between the Salida team and another, where they were competing for a spot in the finals. “They had tied exactly down to the millisecond with another team for 20th place,” Brown said. “They had to swim-off after the meet ended.”
The swim off became one of the most nerve wracking, but exciting moments for Brown’s state meet experience. “It was very eventful, and we were cheering super loud and it was a very fun moment,” Brown said.
In the end, the state meet gave Brown opportunities to compete against some of the best swimmers in the state of Colorado while also spending time with her team and encouraging her fellow teammates. Fun races and competition gave the team as a whole a chance to share one last experience with the seniors, making the meet a memorable end to the season.
