National award comes to Sampson, RVHS grad and swimmer

BY STEVE SMITH SSMSITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Colorado Mesa University’s Ben Sampson is this year’s College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association NCAA Division II Men’s Swimmer of the Year.

Sampson, a redshirt sophomore who graduated from Ralston Valley High School, was one of 21 Mavericks’ swimmers (12 women, nine men) who earned at least one, rstteam all-American honor, according to a statement from CMU. Sampson is the rst Mavericks swimmer to receive the honor.

Sampson led the way for the Mavericks, winning the national title in both the 200-yard individual medley and 200-backstroke. He is the rst male swimmer in CMU history to win a title after Lily Borgenheimer became the rst women’s swimmer to do so last year in the 200-breaststroke.

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Arvada Center recently announced its upcoming slate of theater productions, unveiling ve shows that will be put on by the theater company during the 2023-2024 season.

Season tickets went on sale on March 13, while individual tickets will go on sale on July 1. Tickets for three-to-four shows are also available.

Last year, the Arvada Center put on six productions, but scaled back this year in an e ort to support the stage’s sta , according to Colorado

Public Radio. e following ve shows will come to the Arvada Center stage over the next 18 months.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

When: Sept. 8 to Oct. 8

What: A jukebox musical based on the life and career of Carole King, who grew up a shy Jewish girl from Manhattan and later became one of the most renowned singer-songwriters in the world. e Tony and

He had also set the NCAA Division II record of 1:40.73 (1:39.53-altitude adjusted) in November during the TYR/CMU Invitational.

Swimming and head diving coaches from around the nation voted on the CSCAA’s major awards. Firstteam, all-American status goes to the top eight nishers in each event. Second-team picks go to the ninththrough 16th-place nishers.

Sampson was also an all-American