Valor Christian senior Brooke Stenstrom is in search of her third straight 50-yard freestyle title whereas main the Eagles to their first Class 4A crew championship.
Picture courtesy of Stenstrom household
When it got here time for his or her daughter to decide on her future for the following 4 years, Lori and Steve Stenstrom didn't wish to present any undue affect.
Though Brooke Stenstrom was virtually raised on Stanford's campus, and each Lori and Steve attended the college earlier than later main the college's athletics ministry, they wished Brooke to determine for herself the place she would swim collegiately. They even went as far as to not carry Stanford gear of their house.
Brooke, a senior at Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch), admitted that though going to Stanford had been her dream since childhood, the choice was nonetheless tough. Ultimately, the cardinal received and the college stayed within the household.
“It's a dream come true. I thank God each day for such an unbelievable blessing that has been bestowed upon me,” she stated. “I really feel like I'm going house. However on the similar time, though I grew up there and my dad and mom went there, it's my faculty now. I get to have my very own expertise there.”
Stanford must await now, although. There's nonetheless the query of her senior yr, and the two-time defending Class 4A 50-yard freestyle state champion has excessive hopes for what the Eagles can accomplish Feb. 12-13 on the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Middle in Thornton. Valor has only one state qualifier from a crew that completed third at state a yr in the past, and 2016 might have much more in retailer.
“It's a tremendous crew and a fantastic group of women,” Stenstrom stated. “We now have a tremendous senior class and a lot potential beneath us. I’ve full religion within the crew and I'm so excited for this yr and I do know we're able to some actually wonderful issues.”
Brooke Stenstrom, Bravery Christian
Stenstrom competed within the Central Coast Sectional on the California State Championships as a freshman, putting second within the 50 free for Menlo-Atherton (Atherton). After shifting to Colorado, she took first within the 50 and 100 free as a sophomore and defended her 50 crown final winter.
She positioned second to Thompson Valley's Eryn Eddy within the 100, however teamed up with teammates Brook Landt, Madison Hoehn and Raili Carter to win the 200 freestyle relay.
“Relays are by far essentially the most enjoyable a part of swimming,” Stenstrom stated. “Successful a state title as a person is an unbelievable alternative, however profitable it with my relay was absolutely the most enjoyable a part of my day.”
It's a mentality that makes Lori Stenstrom so proud, each as a mom and as a Valor Christian coach.
“I've had the privilege of teaching her since she was little, and what I like about her is that she's a crew participant,” Lori stated. “It's concerning the crew initially. With the good launch of getting already selected a university and the strain off, she's centered on having quite a lot of enjoyable and leaving a legacy of management at Valor.
“He does a fantastic job of supporting his teammates.
Valor Christian was the highest 4A crew within the VMAC Coaches Invitational in December. Brooke captured first within the 50 free and the Eagles claimed the 400 free relay crown – Stenstrom was joined on that relay by her youthful sister, Lindsay Stenstrom, who’s a freshman this yr.
Relays could possibly be the crew's best power. The identical foursome that received the 200 free relay positioned second within the 200 medley, and the 400 free relay of Sydnie Saddoris, Jordan Coker, Ella Kirschke and Abbey Owenby — all underclassmen — positioned sixth. The crew additionally had a trio of sixth-place people in Owenby (500 free), Hoehn (100 butterfly) and Landt (50 free).
Lori Stenstrom stated one of many blessings of the crew's development and acceleration is that it has created quite a lot of competitors for these relay spots. Valor Christian's crew grew to 42 swimmers this winter, essentially the most this system has had.
“We're in a very robust part of coaching proper now. The top is coming so quick, however all the ladies are so excited and motivated,” Lori stated. “They’ve a tremendous alternative to do actually thrilling issues as a crew. You’ll be able to virtually really feel it in follow.”
“I feel everybody feels it's a really particular yr.
