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Christopher Dawson destroys swim records


By Amy Shanahan with photos courtesy of Sibby Dawson

“What off-season?” is the slogan on Christopher Dawson’s new favorite t-shirt. Dawson, a sophomore at Regis Jesuit High School, started swimming competitively at age ten, and he’s been in the water ever since. He is a resident of Castle Pines Village and swims for the Village Stingrays, in addition to swimming for Regis and Colorado Athletic Club (CAC).

Dawson has had the kind of year that most swimmers only dream of. “It’s fun but also something you really have to work at and be determined to be good at,” said Dawson. “I like to compete! I like the energy you get at swim-meets.”

This past year, Dawson broke the Regis Jesuit boys freshman record for the 500 free, which had been in place for the last six years. In March, he competed with his CAC swim team in the Colorado Short Course State Championship meet in Fort Collins, and he came in first place in the mile free. This summer he set new records for every event in his age group with the Village Stingrays, and he capped the summer off by swimming in the League Championships and setting two new records for the Mountain High Swim League in the 200 free and the 200 IM.

His Regis coach Mike Doherty remarked, “Chris is one of the nicest kids you’ll ever meet. He is very quiet and modest, has a tremendous work ethic, and will probably end up being one of the finest swimmers to come out of our program.”

Dawson has also had the opportunity to represent the state of Colorado at meets in California and Kansas as a top 10 state qualifier in his age group. His mom Sibby said, “He always gives it 150 percent — it makes it really fun to watch! He never makes any excuses. I’m so impressed with his maturity.”

Due to his commitments to three swim teams, Dawson only has two weeks off during the entire year, and he practices every day, sometimes twice per day.

“I’m goofy outside the pool, but I get serious once I’m in the water.” Obviously his commitment and passion for the sport is paying off!

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