Panthers relied on senior leaders

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, February 17, 2007

FEDERAL WAY – Youth may be a hallmark of the high-flying Snohomish Panthers swim and dive team that appears to be an immediate threat for a three-peat in 2008.

But, flying high comes naturally to a pair of the Panthers’ senior leaders, Michael Turner and Brandon Kilpatrick.

Both also pole vault for the Snohomish track team.

It’s an easy transition to the pool for Kilpatrick, who is a diver.

Kilpatrick was struggling and in 21st place after his first three dives in Friday’s prelims. He overcame the rocky start and battled his way into the finals where he saved the best for last.

“My last three dives were probably my best,” Kilpatrick said of the final trio of dives he threw down, including a reverse dive straight, forward one-and-a-half pike and inward one-and-a-half.

His strong performance in the finals resulted in a seventh-place finish with a score of 320.60.

But, does Kilpatrick prefer falling into the pole vault pit or diving into the tank?

“I just like being in the air,” Kilpatrick said with a laugh.

Turner anchored the 200-yard medley relay unit that set a state record (1:36.12). Was he nervous as he waited to go off the blocks?

“The thing going through my mind was ‘I know we’re gonna get this,’” Turner said.

Turner, who also tied for third place in the 50 freestyle (21.56) and was eighth in the 100 freestyle is a rarity among the year-round club swimmers who dominate in the pool.

“As a freshman he swam in the junior varsity championship. As a sophomore he was on a state relay team and now as a junior and senior he’s a key performer,” Snohomish coach Rob Serviss said.

“For (a non-club swimmer) to be going up against world beaters like Clinton Stipek and Carl Weigley (Mount Tahoma swimmers who finished 1-2 in the 50 freestyle) is just amazing.”

All season long the young Panthers leaned on the vocal leadership of a host of seniors, including tri-captains Turner, Russell Aldrich and Kilpatrick.

“Michael, Russell and Brandon are all really good leaders,” said Garren Riechel, a freshman who won a state title in the 100 breaststroke. “All of the seniors are hard-working, including guys like Miles Labitzke and Ken McClelland.”

“It’s so special for all those guys to be able to enjoy this kind of success,” Serviss said. “To work so hard and then be up on that podium for the trophy it’s just really great.”

What about a possible three-peat for Snohomish in 2007-2008?

The whole team works so hard together,” Turner said. “They’ve got a shot.”