GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado – If it weren’t for a generous community, the Glenwood Springs High School girls swim team would most likely be sitting out this weekend’s 4A state meet in Thornton.

And the Demons, whose program is self-funded, know it.

“Without all the people who helped us, we wouldn’t be where we are right now,” freshman Hannah Peterson said.

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“Everyone’s been really supportive,” chimed in junior Rebecca Carcaterra.

Peterson, Carcaterra and their teammates nearly lost their program when a round of budget cuts by Roaring Fork School District Re-1 put it in jeopardy last school year.

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A private fundraising solution was devised to save swimming and select other sports programs in the district.

Donations and fundraisers, including one dubbed Laps 4 Loot over winter break, have kept the Demons afloat.

For all who have contributed, Glenwood’s swimmers are grateful.

“I know the economy is kind of bad, but these people still gave their money and listened to our problem,” said Ashley Roper, a Coal Ridge junior who swims for the Demons. “It’s really great.”

Roper and company have done their best to honor those who have donated with solid performances in the pool. She and a handful of teammates notched qualifying times for this weekend’s state meet, which begins this afternoon and wraps up on Saturday.

Roper qualified individually in the 200-yard freestyle. Junior Hannah Grumley qualified in two events (200 individual medley, 100 butterfly), as did junior Lily Thorsen (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle). Kierra Kalakewich, a Vail Christian student who travels to swim for Glenwood, qualified in the 100 backstroke.

Three relays will also compete – a 200 freestyle quartet of Peterson, Kalakewich, Roper and Thorsen, a 400 freestyle group of Roper, Carcaterra, Thorsen and Grumley and a 200 medley relay team comprised of Roper, Carcaterra, Thorsen and Grumley.

“It’s been cool to see them all kind of jell as a team, especially last weekend [at the Western Slope championships],” Demons coach Mark Bauer said. “It was cool to see it all come together, to see them all leave with smiles on their faces.”

And they’ll no doubt take those smiles over the mountains to Thornton, where the goal is the same for pretty much every qualified Demon – make Saturday’s finals.

“We just want to swim strong and have fun,” said Roper, who will be making her third straight state appearance. “We want to go there and show them what little Glenwood can do.”

And a big reason the Demons have the opportunity to showcase their talents in Thornton is because of the generous community that backs them.

“Honestly, I don’t think we’d be where we are without everyone who sponsored us,” Kalakewich said. “It was difficult, but it was worth it – so worth it. We still have our team.”

jcaspersen@postindependent.com