Marysville Pilchuck’s Willis ready for rest after big day

FEDERAL WAY — Marysville Pilchuck’s Colin Willis isn’t quite sure when he’ll be in a pool next.

The Tomahawks senior is looking forward to a break.

After finishing sixth in the 100 butterfly (53.31 seconds) and fifth in the 100 backstroke (53.78) in the final 3A state tournament of his career, Willis is ready to stay dry for a while.

“It feels pretty good. I’ll miss it, but I’m glad it’s over with,” Willis said. “It’s a lot of work. A lot of time in the pool.”

In his final race, Willis broke the Marysville Pilchuck school record in the backstroke by “almost a second,” despite believing he didn’t swim his best race.

“I’m kind of upset with the 100 backstroke,” Willis said. “I messed up a couple turns. I was too close to the wall.”

Willis and diver Taner Husby, who finished third with 256.10 points, were the lone Tomahawk representatives at the 3A state meet at King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. The two combined for 30 points, which tied Marysville Pilchuck with Prairie for 20th overall.

The Marysville swimmer and diver carpooled down with a pair of Marysville Getchell divers. The Chargers (three points) finished 33rd.

Shorecrest was the top Wesco team at the state tournament finishing seventh with 102.5 team points. The Scots were led by junior diver Aaron Moss, who scored 421.85 points. Senior Carter Osborne finished sixth in the 200 freestyle (1:44.94) and, along with Grant Heisey, Russel Groves and Axel Wickstrom, was on the Scots’ 400 freestyle relay team that finished seventh (3:19.92) in the final event of the meet.

Shorewood (59 team points) and Oak Harbor (41) finished 15th and 18th overall respectively.

At King County Aquatics Center

Team scores: 1. Lakeside (Seattle) 274, 7. Shorecrest 102.5, 15. Shorewood 59, 18. Oak Harbor 41, 20. Marysville Pilchuck 30, 25. Stanwood 18, 32. Meadowdale 4.5, 33. Marysville Getchell 1.

Local results only

200 medley relay—7. Oak Harbor (Cedric Cabigting, Josh Jepsen, Caley Powers, Kevin Levy) 1:41.46; 200 freestyle—6. Carter Osborne (Shorecrest) 1:44.94; Diving—2. Aaron Moss (Shc) 421.85, 13. Taner Husby (Marysville Pilchuck) 256.10, 14. Dominique Gray (Marysville Getchell) 249.65; 100 butterfly—6. Colin Willis (MP) 53.31; 500 freestyle—4. Grant Heisey (Shc) 4:38.97; 200 freestyle relay—8. Shorewood (Torrey Morales, Galen Kintner, Jonah Hoverson, Andrew Garrison) 1:29.58; 100 backstroke—6. Willis 53.78; 100 breaststroke—8. Jepsen 1:00.62; 400 freestyle relay—7. Shorecrest (Heisey, Russel Groves, Axel Wickstrom, Osborne) 3:19.92.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Snohomish’s Deyton Wheat and Grady Rohrich react to losing to Mountain View in the 3A state opening round loser-out game on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish boys basketball falls in 3A State opening round

The Panthers end landmark season with 69-62 loss to Mountain View at home on Tuesday.

Snohomish's Sienna Capelli reacts during the game against Stanwood on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State regional basketball playoff brackets set

14 local teams prepare to take shot at state championship dream.

Meadowdale's Mia Brockmeyer takes a 3-pointer during a state basketball game against River Ridge on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 at Edmonds-Woodway H.S. in Edmonds. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Meadowdale girls basketball survives scrappy River Ridge

The Mavericks take down the Hawks 81-72 in the first round of the state tournament on Tuesday.

Silvertips forward Henri Ament (right) attempts to get his stick on the puck in front of Tri-City net during Everett's 3-2 win against the Americans at Angel of the Winds Arena on Feb. 22, 2026. (Joe Pohoryles/The Herald)
Silvertips playing motivated through final stretch

Everett displays dominance on near-nightly basis, gearing up for WHL playoffs next month.

Snohomish's Malia Ottow gains control of her opponent's leg during the 3A girls 120-pound championship match at the Mat Classic on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish’s Malia Ottow repeats at Mat Classic XXXVII

The junior is among three area Class 3A girls state wrestling champions.

Edmonds-Woodway's Carmelo Larocca reacts after winning the 3A boys 190-pound semifinal match to advance to the championship at the Mat Classic on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Carmelo Larocca, Odin Schwabenbauer win state wrestling titles

The Edmonds-Woodway senior, Snohomish junior lead area individuals in Boys 3A on Friday.

Snohomish junior Lizzie Allyn brings the ball up the court in the Panthers' 58-22 win against Edmonds-Woodway in the District 1 3A Championship at Jackson High School on Feb. 21, 2026. (Joe Pohoryles/The Herald)
Snohomish girls basketball cruises to District 1 3A title

The Panthers suffocate Edmonds-Woodway in 58-22 win on Saturday for second title in three years.

Shorewood junior Thomas Moles (right) applies pressure to Snohomish junior Grant Smith at half court during the Stormrays' 51-36 win against the Panthers in the District 1 3A Championship at Jackson High School on Feb. 21, 2026. (Joe Pohoryles/The Herald)
Shorewood boys basketball captures District 1 3A title

The Stormrays’ defense, hot shooting leads to 51-36 win against Snohomish on Saturday.

Lake Stevens' Jillian Hradec reacts after winning the 4A girls 155-pound championship match at the Mat Classic on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens girls wrestling wins 4A State Championship

The Vikings claim the program’s first-ever team title at Mat Classic XXXVII on Friday.

Arlington's Tre Haines claps after winning the 4A boys 165-pound championship match at the Mat Classic on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Tre Haines secures fourth state wrestling title

The senior becomes 29th person in state history to achieve feat at Mat Classic XXXVII on Friday.

Edmonds-Woodway's Andreas Simonsen lays the ball in against Everett during a district basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at Jackson H.S. in Mill Creek. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys’ balance overwhelms upstart Everett

The Warriors showed their experience in a 69-39 win to clinch a state berth and eliminate Everett on Saturday.

Meadowdale's Lexi Zardis goes for a layup against Shorecrest during a district basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at Jackson H.S. in Mill Creek. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Meadowdale girls down Shorecrest for state spot

The Mavericks hit tough shots all game to outpace the Scots at districts on Saturday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.