Snohomish bags district title, eyes state three-peat

By BOB MORTENSON

Herald Writer

MARYSVILLE – Going in nobody was asking how or who, just by how many.

A lot as it turns out.

Outstanding individual performances and a relay sweep helped the Snohomish Panthers swamp the field and claim the Class 4A Northwest District championship at Marysville-Pilchuck High School Saturday.

The two-time defending state champion Panthers amassed 345.5 points and served notice they are in the hunt for a third straight title.

Shorewood edged Kamiak 154 to 151.5 in a spirited battle for second place. Sehome outlasted Edmonds-Woodway for fourth 140 to 132.

Snohomish started out by posting a time of 1:53.19 to claim the 200-yard medley relay. The Panther contingent included Christine Neely, Katherine Cuevas and Ashley Boxman, all seniors, plus freshman Patricia Thrasher.

The Panthers Erica Chandler, a junior and two-time defending state champion, followed that up by taking the 200 freestyle in a time of 1:51.53.

“I’m really excited about that,” Chandler said. “I haven’t backed off on my training yet, so basically I’m swimming tired.”

Tired or not, Chandler came back to battle defending state champion Kyla Meuer and Chauntelle Johnson, both of Oak Harbor, in an electrifying 100 freestyle race.

Johnson, third at state a year ago, pulled dead even with Chandler in the last 10 yards and they tied in an All-American consideration time of 52.92.

“We’ve been swimming together since we were 10,” Johnson said after embracing Chandler on the victory stand. ” It just doesn’t get any better than tieing for first with a friend.”

Earlier in the meet, Meuer nipped Johnson for first place in the 50 freestyle.

Cascade’s Rachel MacNeill enjoyed dual victories in the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly. Other top finishers included Snohomish’s Christine Neely (100 backstroke) and Emily Enders (diving), Kamiak’s Ashley Best (100 breaststroke), Edmonds-Woodway’s Sarah Spillman (500 freestyle).

“This is a vastly improved conference,” Snohomish coach John Pringle said. “It was just a really good meet for us.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

The Edmonds-Woodway bench reacts to a foul call during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 10

Warriors win battle of division champs.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Perfect week no help to Gonzaga

An unbeaten week against a pair of middle- to lower-tier West Coast… Continue reading

LeBron James (23) and Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers look on as John Collins (20) of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Lakers’ LeBron James and Luka Doncic hit the ground running

LeBron James and Luka Doncic represent different generations and… Continue reading

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) smiles as head coach Nick Sirianni holds up the Lombardi trophy after they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Eagles overwhelm Chiefs to win the Super Bowl

The Philadelphia Eagles perhaps did not vanquish the Kansas… Continue reading

Coach Derek Lopez (far right) and the Lake Stevens boys' wrestling team celebrates with their championship trophy at the WIAA 4A District 1 Tournament at Jackson High School on Feb. 8, 2025.
Lake Stevens boys capture district wrestling title

The Vikings had 17 state-qualifiers; second-place Arlington led with five weight class winners

Edmonds-Woodway wrestlers react to a pin during the match against Meadowdale on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys wrestling roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Edmonds-Woodway boys wins Wesco 3A South wrestling title.

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Tulalip Heritage boys advance to district title game.

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

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.