FREE STATE HIGH SENIOR CHASE TORGERSON signs his letter of intent to the University of Denver as Firebirds swimming coach Annette McDonald observes. Torgerson signed his letter Monday at the Free State library.

Chase Torgerson didn’t just say he wanted to swim at the University of Denver. It was evident the Free State High senior set his sights on being at the forefront of the Pioneers’ program for years to come.

“I hope to strive to be a conference champion, or maybe take the team to conference,” Torgerson said. “Then I’d like to qualify for NCAAs as well. It’s quite a difficult thing to do, but I think it’s in my future.”

Torgerson signed his letter of intent Monday to swim at Denver next season. Coaches from his past – namely Aquahawks coach Mike Soderling and Free State coach Annette McDonald – joined friends and family at the Free State library to support Torgerson’s collegiate plans.

“I just love Denver,” Torgerson said of the Division-I school in the Sun Belt Conference. “It’s pretty and the academics are great. The swim team is very good and I love the coach (Brian Schrader). And to top it all off, it’s in Colorado, so that never hurts.”

Torgerson will primarily compete in the backstroke at Denver. He holds the Free State record in the event with a time of 53.27 seconds. The senior set the record this season in Topeka.

Torgerson is also the 2007 Class 6A state champion in the 100 backstroke (53.75 seconds).

“One of my friends, Blaine Juhl – he was a diver at state – said it was like a Disney-movie ending,” Torgerson said. “I’d been swimming my whole life and to be state champion in the 100 back was just awesome. There are no words to describe how amazing it felt.”

Torgerson also holds the 15-16 year-old Aquahawks record in the 100 and 200 backstroke, along with the 17-18 year-old record in the 200.

“He’s definitely the best boys backstroker I’ve ever coached,” Soderling said. “From his physical makeup, you can tell he’s an athlete. He really has great tempo and speed in the water. He can get a good, high stroke rate going.”

Torgerson also considered North Carolina State, Iowa and Emory. He decided to attend Denver about a month ago.

“They told me I would be able to make an impact, which is always something positive,” Torgerson said. “I definitely didn’t want to go into a program and just sit on the bench and swim, but not actually get to race.”

Torgerson swam for Free State his freshman, sophomore and senior years. He swam with the Aquahawks his junior year. He was part of the Firebirds 200 medley relay team that broke the school record at the state meet in 2004.

“What I’ll miss is, he loves what he’s doing, so when he’s in the water it’s just part of him,” McDonald said. “He’s comfortable going fast, and I think once he hits college and continues to get stronger and mature, you’ll see great things as he gets older.”

Torgerson said he’s interested in studying pre-med or biology. He hopes to become a doctor. Torgerson visited Denver last weekend.

“It was great – 75 and sunny every day,” Torgerson said.