Winning a high school state title in any sport is a dream come true for many athletes.

For those who have lived the dream, defending that title can become a difficult challenge. And a threepeat is nearly impossible.

So, Rock Canyon senior Kirsten Milberg might be able to accomplish a feat that is almost unheard of in Colorado high school girls swimming when she goes for her fourth consecutive Class 4A state title in the 100-yard backstroke this winter.

"I don't know why, but the backstroke has just always been my thing - it's just always worked for me," said Milberg, who usually swims the 200 backstroke in club competition throughout the year. "Even when I was younger, the backstroke was always my best event, and so it just became my favorite with the success I've had.

"So, winning a fourth title, wow, that would be a huge accomplishment. That would be pretty amazing for me to finish my high school swimming career with that."

Milberg will try to be the first to win all four titles for the same school, within the same classification. Her quest comes on the heels of the only other girls swimmer to accomplish the feat of winning four titles in the same event -- Kristen Lahey won four 100 backstroke titles, two in 4A for Niwot (2002-03) and two more for Class 5A Fairview (2004-05).

Milberg's journey began as a surprise her freshman year, when she shocked the 4A ranks in upsetting the defending champion (Thompson Valley's Castina Wabeke) in the event. Her win handed Rock Canyon the school's first state individual event title, in only its second year of existence.

"I definitely wasn't the favorite in the race, and so when I touched the wall first, my mouth just dropped, because I couldn't believe it," Milberg said. "I had so much adrenaline going for that race. I had no expectations of ever winning it."

Milberg came back her sophomore year to defend her title, as well as win the 200 freestyle event. And last season, she won three championship races, with her third 100 backstroke title and as a member of the Jaguars' victorious 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays.

While Milberg is shooting to add a 200 individual medley state title this year, the one title that has eluded her is one for her team, which happens to be coached by her mom, Ruthie.

But with two-time defending team champion Ralston Valley moving up to battle Cherry Creek and Regis Jesuit in 5A, two-time runner-up Rock Canyon heads into the season as the early favorite for the 4A crown.

"I think we're going to pretty much dominate without Ralston Valley there," said Kirsten Milberg, who committed to swim for the University of Denver next year. "This is a big year for us. We have a lot of seniors, and I just think that this is our year. We can't wait to get it started."