Jackson swim trio leads the pack for Timberwolves

Jackson High School seniors Ethan Georgiev and Ethan Chen-Parks have been longstanding team leaders for the Timberwolves’ boys swim and dive program.

Vyron Domingo, a standout junior transfer from Mariner, has fit right in since joining forces with the group this winter.

The trio leads Jackson’s 200-yard medley and 200 freestyle relay teams, along with freshmen Prestyn Ruitjers and Nolan Thai, at this week’s Class 4A District 1 swim and dive championships, which began Thursday and end with finals Saturday, at the Snohomish Aquatic Center.

Georgiev and Chen-Parks, both members of the Timberwolves’ 200 freestyle relay team that placed seventh at the 4A state championships last season, are each defending district champions. Georgiev is the returning champion in the 100 and 200 freestyles and Chen-Parks in the 100 breaststroke. They also helped Jackson’s 200 medley relay team to a district title last winter.

But most importantly to longtime coach Drew Whorley, Georgiev and Chen-Parks are stabilizing presences as senior leaders for the program.

“Their contributions as teammates to the whole group over the course of the last four years is probably the thing I’ve appreciated about them the most, to be honest,” Whorley said. “That leadership quality, particularly this year, has been of great value to our team.”

Whorley said the pair are always willing to do what it takes to lift up their teammates, and they bring confidence that sets a high example.

“They approach their swimming and they approach their lives with (confidence),” Whorley said. “That’s not something that’s always inherent of every teenage boy.”

Whorley said Domingo, a two-time district champion in the 200 individual medley while at Mariner, has been a welcomed addition to that leadership group.

“It was a really a pleasant surprise for me to show up and see him on our roster,” Whorley said, “Having somebody that can see this through one more year and help continue to nurture all the young talent that we have, I feel like it’s been a little bit of a gift to the team.”

Whorley added that Domingo’s transition to the new group has been relatively seamless, due to his history in club swimming as well as sharing the pool with other Jackson swimmers in high school meets in past years.

“I think that’s one of the cool things that happens in high school swimming,” Whorley said. “These guys all respect each other not because of the points they score but because they’re all in the pool grinding it out and busting their tails together every day.”

As the group prepares to soak in their remaining postseason swims, Chen-Parks said he’s enjoyed relishing in his final year competing in a Jackson swimsuit.

“Our team has really come together as a group,” Chen-Parks said. “Just working together to try to make our cuts and focusing on what we need to do. I’m really excited going into districts, because we have such a supportive team and parents behind us who are doing great work to make sure we run at our best.”

Georgiev also expressed excitement for his remaining high school swims.

“I definitely feel it with the nerves starting to kick in,” Georgiev said. “These are my last few meets here before I’m done with swimming. I feel it, but I’m excited.”