Kamiak, Shorewood eye title

Published 11:16 pm Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Snohomish Panthers have reigned over the WIAA/Dairy Farmers of America 4A boys’ state swimming meet for the last three years.

But Snohomish’s dominance is in jeopardy at this year’s championships because of two other strong Western Conference opponents, Kamiak and Shorewood.

After placing second behind the Panthers at state in 2008, Kamiak is poised to make a run for the title following an impressive 4A District 1 championship performance. The Knights utilized extraordinary depth with 27 swimmers scoring while racking up 562 points and first place. Kamiak qualified 12 swimmers and divers in various competitions.

“That’s the nature of high school sports,” Snohomish head coach Rob Serviss said. “People come and people go … the spotlight’s not really on us this year.”

Kamiak, however, has a big question mark of its own hovering over the program. Senior Daniel Schmidt was diagnosed with strep throat and mononucleosis during the district meet and is questionable to participate at state, which begins today. Schmidt, a sprinter, would forfeit his spot in the 50 freestyle and Kamiak would have to replace him in relays.

“The key right now is recovering (for Daniel),” Kamiak head coach Chris Ericksen said. “It’s going to get very complicated, potentially.”

Luckily, Kamiak’s seniors, including Schmidt, are tournament tested.

“Those five seniors (Schmidt, Chris Lynch, Patrick Hunziker, Gus Brunner and Tyler Carriker) are an intricate part of the team,” Ericksen said. “The seniors have just been a great group.”

Snohomish, meanwhile, may not have as much firepower as in recent years, but it still has one of the state’s top swimmers with junior Garren Riechel.

Last year, Riechel broke the 17-year-old 4A meet record in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 56.06. He topped that blazing time with a personal-best swim of 55.68 at districts.

Now in sight is Seattle Prep’s Pat Fowler and his 11-year-old, 100 breaststroke state record time of 53.66.

“Garren’s had his eyes set on the state record,” Serviss said. “That’s been his motivation all year … He’s got that time in mind.”

Other area swimmers hoping to retain their individual championships are Cascade’s Sean Nesheim and Oak Harbor’s John Hu.

Nesheim, a senior, won the 200 freestyle in 2008 beating Shorewood’s Bryan Michaels — the two battled at districts with Nesheim earning the close win. Michaels and Nesheim also will swim in the 500 freestyle.

Oak Harbor’s Hu is out to defend his title in the 200 individual medley. Hu topped Snohomish’s Riechel by .24 seconds in 2008, but Riechel isn’t swimming in this year’s race.

Hu is also competing in the 100 butterfly and with Oak Harbor’s relay teams.

Following districts, Kamiak’s Ericksen listed Shorewood as a top competitor.

“Our (Kamiak) strengths are going to be the sprints, their biggest areas are going to be the distance — the events with Bryan Michaels,” Ericksen said. “They have state depth.”

Shorewood, who finished second to Kamiak at districts, qualified swimmers for every event except the 100 breaststroke.

Gig Harbor also expects to be in the mix for a top spot.