FEDERAL WAY — For the first three seasons of her prep career, Jackson swimmer Chloe Limargo was somewhat in the shadow of teammate Nicole Limberg’s stardom.
Limargo had compiled a strong resume, earning three top-four state medals in the 200-yard individual medley and three top-10 state finishes in the 100 breaststroke.
But Limargo happened to swim in the same events as Limberg, a five-time individual state champion who won three state titles in the 100 breaststroke and two in the 200 individual medley.
“On pretty much any other swim team, Chloe (would’ve been) the best swimmer,” Jackson coach Drew Whorley said.
With Limberg now swimming at the Division I-level for Rice University, it was Limargo’s turn to seize the spotlight.
Limargo capped her prep career by claiming the Class 4A state title in the 100 breaststroke Saturday, posting an All-American consideration time of 1 minute, 3.51 seconds during the state swim and dive championships at King County Aquatic Center.
“I’m just thrilled for Chloe,” Whorley said. “She’s been right on the cusp of achieving that for a number of years.”
Limargo trailed Skyline’s Danika Himes by 0.02 seconds at the midway point of the race, but turned on the jets in the final 50 yards to win the state title by 0.92 seconds. Her winning time was the eighth-fastest 100-breaststroke time in 4A state-meet history.
“I think I panicked, honestly,” Limargo said. “I don’t know why, but whenever I panic and I’m swimming, I just go a lot faster. I don’t know the full logic behind it.”
Limargo also placed seventh in the 200 individual medley (2:06.41) and helped the Timberwolves to a pair of top-three relay finishes.
The Jackson 200 medley relay team of sophomore Heidi Ly, Limargo, freshman Mia Chang and senior Alexis Nims took second place with a time of 1:48.02. The same four Timberwolves also placed third in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:38.80.
Chang capped her standout freshman campaign with a pair of top-five medals, placing third in the 100 backstroke (56.34) and fifth in the 200 individual medley (2:05.63).
Jackson finished fifth in the 4A team standings with 151 points.
“I couldn’t be more proud of them,” Whorley said. “Just incredibly proud of the performance of the whole group. They swam their hearts out today, and I think it showed.”
Kamiak sophomore Elli Straume claimed two top-four individual medals and anchored a pair of top-three relay finishes, leading the Knights to a fourth-place finish in the 4A team standings.
Kamiak totaled 157 points, finishing six points ahead of Wesco rival Jackson for the final team trophy.
“That was one of our goals,” said Kamiak coach Chris Erickson, who was presented the 4A coach of the year award during the meet. “You always say top five, but if you’re top four, you get to bring home a trophy.
“And of course our rivalry with Jackson — we’re always battling and pushing each other, and we squeaked ahead of them.”
Straume took second place in the 200 freestyle, posting an All-American consideration time of 1:50.04. She also placed fourth in the 100 freestyle with a time of 51.28 seconds.
The Kamiak 200-freestyle relay team of junior Song-Nhi Vo, sophomore Grace Hatscher, freshman Ava Collinge and Straume took second place in 1:38.26, posting the fourth-best time in 4A state-meet history.
Kamiak now owns two of the top four times in the event, including last year’s record-breaking 1:37.74. Newport broke that record Saturday by nearly 1.5 seconds.
Vo, Hatscher, Collinge and Straume also placed third in the 200 medley relay (1:48.33).
North Creek junior Gabrielle Dang won the 100 freestyle (49.98) and placed second in the 50 freestyle (22.95), posting automatic All-American times in both events.
North Creek sophomore Jazlynn Pak took second in the 100 butterfly (54.92) and third in the 50 freestyle (23.59) with All-American consideration times in both.
Dang and Pak also led the Jaguars to a fourth-place medal in the 200 freestyle relay (1:39.49) and a fifth-place finish in the 200 medley relay (1:50.13).
North Creek placed sixth in the team standings with 128 points in the program’s inaugural season.
Lake Stevens senior Gabrielle Marlatt placed fourth in the 50 freestyle (23.93) and sixth in the 100 freestyle (51.86).
The Glacier Peak team of sophomore Kiah Lines, freshman Kynseth Mann, junior Riley Fidler and sophomore Emily Hoopes took fourth place in the 200 medley relay (1:49.96).
Glacier Peak senior Mari Hsieh placed fifth in diving with 339.85 points.
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