Steve Schmuhl is cognizant of all the eyes that are going to be focused on him during the upcoming months.

Such scrutiny is the price of success. After making a strong claim to assume the mantle as the state’s top individual swimmer last season, Schmuhl, a sophomore from Legacy High School, is ready to embrace the pressure that will be an inevitable byproduct of his status this season.

“I’m excited for the high school season because it’s different,” Schmuhl said. “I like the media attention and I like the pressure. I can always perform better when there is more pressure.”

Schmuhl proved as much at the Class 5A state meet last year, winning two events as a freshman to make his mark as the heir apparent to former Heritage All-American Mark Dylla as Colorado’s dominant individual swimmer. With Dylla’s shadow having now receded even further and Schmuhl no longer needing to compete with former Regis Jesuit star Jay Kim, the sophomore will carry a huge target on his back this season.

Schmuhl set new classification records during each of his state title victories last year. Schmuhl won the 200 freestyle in 1 minute, 40.03 seconds, earning All-Colorado honors in the event and taking nearly a full second off the former 5A record of 1:41.00, set by Longmont’s J.D. White in 2002.

Schmuhl was nearly as impressive while collecting his win in the 100 freestyle, out-touching former Heritage standout Conor Brennan to take first with a 5A record time of 45.61 seconds. Some additional bad news for those opponents out-touched by Schmuhl last year is that he has added another inch to his rangy 6-foot-5 frame since last season.

Plenty of time remains in Schmuhl’s prep career, and perhaps it is too soon to wonder if he can repeat the success of Dylla, who captured a record eight individual state titles during his career. But Schmuhl, a dominant freestyler by trade, has already set the pace, and he hinted he might follow Dylla’s lead and attempt to capture state titles in several events as his career unfolds.

Granted, that is a lot of pressure to put on a sophomore’s shoulders. But, as Schmuhl so proudly states, he wouldn’t have it any other way,

“I really liked (swimming) from the start and always had the desire to keep getting better,” Schmuhl said. “I want to do the 200 freestyle again, but we’ll see what other events I do. I think the 500 free is really fun to do, and so is the 100 butterfly and the 100 breaststroke. But, at least in the breaststroke, there are other guys that are better than me at that right now.”

Flip turn

CLASS 5A TOP 3

1. Regis Jesuit: The juggernaut Raiders should glide to their 15th consecutive team championship.

2. Highlands Ranch: The Kyle crew — juniors Kyle Milberg and Kyle Noser — will combine with an influx of solid freshmen to boost the Falcons.

3. Cherry Creek: The Bruins’ Matt Voell is the favorite to win gold in the 100 butterfly.

4. Fort Collins: The Lambkins return a slew of experienced swimmers from a team that finished seventh last season.

5. Loveland: The Indians look to take a step forward after making consecutive ninth-place finishes at state.

TOP RETURNEES

Player, School, Year

Nick Beaulieu, Regis Jesuit, Jr. State finish: Third, 100 backstroke

John Dalton, Arvada West, Sr. State finish: Second, 50 freestyle; third, 100 freestyle

Tyler Davis, Ralston Valley, Sr. State finish: Third, 500 freestyle (4A)

John Fox, Chatfield, Sr. State finish: Second, diving

Kyle Milberg, Highlands Ranch, Jr. State finish: Second, 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke

Kevin Moore, Regis Jesuit, Sr. State finish: Third, diving

Kyle Noser, Highlands Ranch, Jr. State finish: Second, 100 backstroke

Steve Schmuhl, Legacy, So. State finish: First 200 freestyle and 100 freestyle

Matt Voell, Cherry Creek, Sr. State finish: Second, 100 butterfly

Blas Yslas, Regis Jesuit, Sr. State finish: First, 100 breaststroke

CLASS 4A TOP 5

1. Lewis-Palmer: The Rangers, a possible top five team in 5A, boast a depth that will be difficult for the opposition to match.

2. Cheyenne Mountain: Junior Pat Scally is a threat to win both freestyle distance events at state.

3. Conifer: Christian Treat and Sawyer Franz pack perhaps the strongest 1-2 punch in 4A.

4. Thompson Valley: Three diving state title contenders, combined with versatile swimmer Dominic Ponce, make the Eagles a threat.

5. Silver Creek: The defending state champs must regroup after key graduation losses.

TOP RETURNEES

Player, School, Year

Matthew Arthur, Pueblo County, Jr. State finish: Second, 100 butterfly

Greg Conway, Thompson Valley, Sr. State finish: Second, diving

Sawyer Franz, Conifer, So. State finish: Second, 100 backstroke

Travis Hartman, Thompson Valley, .Jr. State finish: Third, diving

Tanner Krall, Pueblo Centennial, Jr. State finish: First, 100 breaststroke

Dominic Ponce, Thompson Valley, Sr. State finish: Third, 200 individual medley

Pat Scally, Cheyenne Mountain, .Jr. State finish: Second, 500 freestyle; third, 200 freestyle

Christian Treat, Conifer, Sr. State finish: Second, 200 freestyle; third, 100 breaststroke

Derek Wedel, Pueblo South, So. State finish: Third, 100 butterfly

Cole Worsley, Moffat County, Sr. State finish: First, butterfly; second, 50 freestyle.

NOTEBOOK

There is a good chance Lewis-Palmer will run away with the team title at the Class 4A state meet. Yet, while the Rangers will gladly celebrate whatever trophy comes their way, they will undoubtedly wonder how they might have fared against the big boys in 5A.

Because Lewis-Palmer lost students when Palmer Ridge opened this fall, the Rangers, who would have finished in the top 10 at the 5A meet last year if not for a costly disqualification in the final heat of the 200-freestyle relay, will compete in 4A this season.

However, the swimmers who moved to Palmer Ridge will remain a part of the Lewis-Palmer team, giving the Rangers the sort of depth that will be difficult for the other 4A competitors to match.

“In general, we’re a little disappointed we moved to 4A,” Lewis-Palmer coach Alan Arata said. “We really thought we had a chance to be in the top three in 5A. We have strong relay teams and some good freshmen coming in.”

Led by seniors Jonathan Munns, Heath Glover and Alex Eldredge, the Rangers already have some of their new rivals in 4A eyeing other prizes.

“There is nobody that can touch them,” Cheyenne Mountain coach Pete Nichols said. “When you find out they are going to be in Class 4A, it takes a little wind out of your sails. It will be a fight for second.”

Thompson Valley has always boasted a strong diving program, but this year, the Eagles could make history, with three divers capable of claiming the top-three spots at the state meet.

Thompson Valley features the top-three returning divers from last year’s 4A meet — senior Greg Conway (second place), junior Travis Hartman (second) and senior Brent White (sixth).

“As we get down to that point, (taking the top three) will be something we might push for,” Thompson Valley diving coach Amon McCrary said. “Right now, we’re just looking at how we can improve to make ourselves in position to do that. If the guys can understand it’s an opportunity not many programs ever have, I think it will really get their focus. It would be an amazing achievement.”

Ralston Valley finished third in 4A last year but, despite the return of distance specialist Tyler Davis and an influx of several solid freshmen, the Mustangs will be challenged to finish in the top five after moving up to 5A. Ralston Valley did receive a boost to its depth when it absorbed the Standley Lake team, which was having a numbers issue in attempts to fill its roster.

Regis Jesuit diver Kevin Moore, a candidate for the state title after placing third at the 5A finals last year, is the younger brother of Sean Moore, the Raiders’ state champion diver of 2006 and 2007.

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