Cheyenne Central Ends Swimming Title Drought with 4A State Championship Surge

The Indians won their 13th title in school history and first one in 13 years.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Cheyenne Central's boys swim team celebrated their first championship in over a decade at the East High pool, with standout performances from Brady Benne and a winning relay team. The Indians won two events and used their depth to score 203 team points and dethrone Laramie by 14 points in the final standings.

Why it matters

Cheyenne Central's victory ends a 13-year drought for the program, which has a storied history of swimming success. The win highlights the team's resilience and ability to bounce back after years without a state title.

The details

Junior Brady Benne won his third consecutive diving state championship, scoring 466.60 points over 11 dives. The Indians also won the 400 Freestyle relay, outracing Laramie. Central had 11 other top-six finishes, including three runner-up efforts in the 200-medley relay, the 200 IM, and the 100 Backstroke.

  • The 2026 Class 4A boys swimming and diving state championship took place last weekend in Cheyenne at the East High School Aquatics Facility.

The players

Brady Benne

A junior at Cheyenne Central who won his third consecutive diving state championship.

Chris Hager

A swimmer for Cheyenne Central who had two runner-up finishes in the 200 IM and 100 Backstroke.

Josh Bott

The head coach of the Cheyenne Central boys swim team, who was named the 4A Boys Coach of the Year.

Talan Premer

An assistant coach for Cheyenne Central who was selected as the Assistant Coach of the Year.

Ben Forsythe

A swimmer from Sheridan who captured first place in the 50 Free and 100 Breaststroke races for the third straight year.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

Cheyenne Central's swimming program has regained its championship form, ending a 13-year drought and showcasing the team's depth and talent. The victory is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the coaches and athletes, and it sets the stage for the program to continue its winning tradition in the years to come.