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DENVER -
They are two of the top swimmers on the Cherry Creek's talented team.
Senior, Loren Brandon, returning state champion in the 500 freestyle, is joined this year by little sister, Bonnie, a freshman backstroker.
Loren will swim for Minnesota's nationally ranked team next year, while Bonnie's looking way ahead, and already preparing for the next Olympic year.
This past summer, at the age of just 14, she didn't just qualify for the Olympic Trials, she advanced all the way to the semifinals.
So, what were the Trials like?
Bonnie: "It was a little intimidating, but, I just told myself that I swim this race all the time, to just swim fast, and it'd be fine. I knew I wasn't going to actually make the team, so I knew I couldn't do bad."
Loren: "I was jumping out of my seat. I was screaming my head off."
Bonnie: "I heard and saw everyone from home and that made it really fun. I did the whole 'whew-hoo, fist-pump' thing."
Loren: "But, the best was when she snuck me into the warm-down pool past all the security so I could swim a workout with her."
Bonnie: "She had to get past like ten checkpoints using my ID."
Loren: "It worked. We got in and swam our practice. Then, luckily, we got out ok, too"
Creek is home to 6-time Olympic Gold Medalist Amy Van Dyken. What's it like training underneath that shrine to her?
Bonnie: "It's exciting to know that someone who swam here went through the same things I am. She got the Olympic golds and did everything that I want to do."
Loren: "I just look at the picture and stare at her arms. They're huge! I'll be kicking, looking at her, and wondering how anybody could have arms that big!"
How are the two of you alike? How are you different?
Bonnie: "Well, we both love to swim. And we're both smart."
Loren: "We both work really hard. But, I like to read."
Bonnie: "I hate reading. I'm active and energetic. I like gymnastics and flipping through the air. I wanted to be a diver."
Loren: "I like taking naps. Bonnie just jumps up and down."
Bonnie: "We both hunt. Most people don't know that."
Loren: "I think I have five antelope and five deer. When I got an antelope buck, my dad had it mounted. It's hanging over my door. We're like the sons my father never had."
Bonnie: "He said he's going to take me moose hunting. I'm really excited about that."
This past summer, at the age of just 14, she didn't just qualify for the Olympic Trials, she advanced all the way to the semifinals.
So, what were the Trials like?
Bonnie: "It was a little intimidating, but, I just told myself that I swim this race all the time, to just swim fast, and it'd be fine. I knew I wasn't going to actually make the team, so I knew I couldn't do bad."
Loren: "I was jumping out of my seat. I was screaming my head off."
Bonnie: "I heard and saw everyone from home and that made it really fun. I did the whole 'whew-hoo, fist-pump' thing."
Loren: "But, the best was when she snuck me into the warm-down pool past all the security so I could swim a workout with her."
Bonnie: "She had to get past like ten checkpoints using my ID."
Loren: "It worked. We got in and swam our practice. Then, luckily, we got out ok, too"
Creek is home to 6-time Olympic Gold Medalist Amy Van Dyken. What's it like training underneath that shrine to her?
Bonnie: "It's exciting to know that someone who swam here went through the same things I am. She got the Olympic golds and did everything that I want to do."
Loren: "I just look at the picture and stare at her arms. They're huge! I'll be kicking, looking at her, and wondering how anybody could have arms that big!"
How are the two of you alike? How are you different?
Bonnie: "Well, we both love to swim. And we're both smart."
Loren: "We both work really hard. But, I like to read."
Bonnie: "I hate reading. I'm active and energetic. I like gymnastics and flipping through the air. I wanted to be a diver."
Loren: "I like taking naps. Bonnie just jumps up and down."
Bonnie: "We both hunt. Most people don't know that."
Loren: "I think I have five antelope and five deer. When I got an antelope buck, my dad had it mounted. It's hanging over my door. We're like the sons my father never had."
Bonnie: "He said he's going to take me moose hunting. I'm really excited about that."
