2026 Colorado High School Activities Association Girls 5A State Championships
- Feb. 13-14, 2026
- Littleton, CO
- SCY (25 yards)
- Results
Cherry Creek winning the Colorado Activities Association Girls 5A State Championship seems to be an annual rite of February.
For the sixth straight year and 32nd time overall, Cherry Creek is the state champion in 5A, winning eight events to cruise past runner-up Fairview by 144 points.
Even worse for the other teams is that Cherry Creek was led by a trio of non-seniors who will be back for more in the future.
Sophomore Kate McKinnon won two events, taking the 200 free in 1:48.93 and the 100 free in 49.15.
“I just love this team and I love CHSAA high school swimming,” McKinnon said to the CHSAA website. “It’s so much fun and I can’t wait for the next few years.”
Junior twin sisters Jenna and Sydney Fernstrom, both Ohio State commits, each produced a win for Cherry Creek. J. Fernstrom won the 50 free in a personal best of 22.84, while S. Fernstrom captured the 100 breast in a personal best of 1:02.51. J. Fernstrom also finished 3rd in the 100 free (49.70).
Cherry Creek also had an individual win from sophomore Sydney Wasylenky, who won the 100 back in 55.62.
All four swimmers were also instrumental in Cherry Creek sweeping the three relays.
The 200 medley relay was won by Cherry Creek’s team of Wasylenky (26.03), S. Fernstrom (23.47), J. Fernstrom (24.11) and Clara Paterson (23.47) in 1:42.22.
Cherry Creek’s squad of Patterson (25.32), Elizabeth Earley (23.95), Campbell Walter (24.76), and McKinnon (22.39) then won the 200 free relay in 1:36.42.
In the 400 free relay, the quartet of Madison Williams (53.20), J. Fernstrom (49.44), Wasylenky (51.29) and McKinnon (50.37) won in a time of 3:24.30.
Other individual winners were:
- Valor Christian sophomore Ellie Wiesen won the 200 IM in 2:02.32.
- Arvada West senior Layla Petz won the diving event with 477.35 points.
- Fairview junior Lexi Byrn, a USC commit, won the 100 fly in 54.26.
- Annabeth Town, a junior from Thunder Ridge and a Northwestern commit, won the 500 free in 4:54.68.
Team Standings — Top 5
- Cherry Creek, 475
- Fairview, 331
- Regis Jesuit, 294
- Valor Christian, 248.5
- Arapahoe, 236
