High school swimming: No Beutler-Taylor rematch at 4A state meet

Snow Canyon senior Joe Beutler and Mountain Crest junior Jake Taylor won't square off head-to-head in the 200 free — or any other event — at next weekend's 4A state meet.

There had been speculation for months over which two events the state's best two male swimmers would compete in at state, with many hoping they would rematch in the 200 free in what would've been one of the most highly-anticipated races in state history.

However, while Beutler will swim the 200 free and 500 free at state for the fourth year in a row, Taylor will swim the 100 back and 200 IM.

Last year, Beutler and Taylor memorably squared off in the 200 free, with Beutler coming from behind to beat Taylor and set a state record of 1:41.95.

Taylor actually went 1:39.98 in the 200 free at the Region 5 meet on Thursday, but he'll instead chase state records in the 100 back and 200 IM at state. On top of that, setting a state record in the 100 free is also a possibility for Taylor if he leads off the 400 free relay for Mountain Crest.

For both swimmers, it was simply a matter of doing what they felt was best for themselves and their teams.

Beutler will try to help lead Snow Canyon to a team state championship and set a pair of state records in his final high school meet, while Taylor will look to break three state records himself.

It's conceivable that between them, five of the eight individual state records could fall next weekend, and the swims they're expected to produce could rank amongst the best in state history.

Accordingly, watching them go for those records and fight for the 4A boys Swimmer of the Meet award should nonetheless be a decent consolation prize for those who hoped to see them together in the 200 free or 200 IM.

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E-mail: drasmussen@desnews.com