Swimming is generally considered an individual sport, although not everyone sees it that way.
Elizabeth Armstrong / The Herald
Take, for example, the Snohomish High School girls. The team members cheering from the pool’s edge seem as crucial to the Panthers’ success as the ones competing in the water.
“A big part of how we race is encouragement,” Snohomish junior Surya Manickam said last week after practice at Hal Moe Pool. “That’s what makes our team so great – we’re all together.”
An example of that cohesive spirit came Sept. 9, when the Panthers triumphed 94-91 over Mercer Island, which won state titles in 1997 and 1998 and loses a dual meet about as often as the United States holds a presidential election. Using superior depth, Snohomish hung on for its first dual-meet win over the powerful Class 3A team since the squads began competing regularly in 1995.
During the non-conference meet, several Snohomish athletes, many of whom weren’t even swimming that day, dashed along the edge of the pool, shouting encouragement to teammates.
“If I was out there by myself,” said Snohomish’s Manickam, who swims the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events, “I would do terrible. But the fact that I have my teammates backing me up, it makes me go a lot faster. It really gets my adrenaline pumping.”
“They contributed to that win by their attitude and their behavior,” Snohomish coach John Pringle said of the Panthers’ sideline supporters, “That’s a big key in what we do.”
And exactly what does Snohomish do? It wins – a lot.
| Look for these four local swimmers – and one dominant diver – to make a major splash this season:
Samantha Young, Shorecrest, senior: A two-time defending Class 3A champion in diving, she set a state record with 453.9 points to claim the podium’s top spot last fall. Amber Pleasant, Jackson, senior: Had two third-place swims at last year’s Class 4A state meet (50- and 100-yard freestyle) and anchored the Timberwolves’ fourth-place 400 freestyle relay. Laura Menard, Kamiak, senior: One of several seniors hoping to keep the Knights among the state’s top 4A teams, she placed seventh in the 500 freestyle and swam a leg on Kamiak’s second-place 400 freestyle relay at state. Kelly Conrad, Lake Stevens, junior: This sprint standout placed fifth in the 100 freestyle as a sophomore at the 2004 Class 4A state meet. Leanne Dull, Shorewood, senior: She placed in two individual state events (sixth in the 200 freestyle and eighth in the 100 backstroke) last November. |
The Panthers, members of the Western Conference North Division, have won eight consecutive division dual-meet titles and nine of the past 10. They snared three consecutive state championships from 1998-2000 and placed 11th or better at state three of the past four years. With victories already this season over Mercer Island and a perennially tough Kamiak team, Snohomish appears primed to earn plenty of acclaim at the state meet in November.
First, though, the Panthers must get over a disappointing 2004 finish.
Last November, Snohomish placed 11th at state. For many programs, it would have been a banner year. For Snohomish, it was a letdown. “It wasn’t a result that we were very proud of,” said Pringle, who is in his 16th season as the Panthers head coach.
A rough first day at state cost Snohomish dearly, but Pringle said his swimmers have ironed out the wrinkles – including pressure-related mental lapses – and are set to bounce back.
“We have a more positive outlook,” said senior co-captain Deborah Shawback, who swims the 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. “We’re a lot more focused on what’s going to happen at the end of the year and not just on having fun.”
If Snohomish taps its potential, there will be plenty of time for fun on the awards podium. The Panthers are loaded. Besides Shawback and Manickam, there is Kelsey Randolf (a state qualifier last year in the 50 freestyle and the 100 butterfly) and Anne Bilbro, both talented juniors.
And although senior co-captain Molly Corcoran doesn’t have state experience, she’s a trusted guide.
“She reminds me of (a) college dorm-room leader,” Pringle said. “When (teammates) go to her, they know that they are supported and that they have an ear that will listen and care. That’s invaluable.”
Elizabeth Armstrong / The Herald
Deborah Shawback’s younger sister, Sarah (200 individual medley and 100 backstroke) spearheads Snohomish’s talented freshman class, which includes Meghan Blue, Jasmine Labitzke and Alanna Lai. In Snohomish’s victory over Mercer Island, Sarah Shawback had two first-place swims, both in Class 4A state-qualifying times.
While Snohomish seems poised to reclaim its place among Washington’s best, the elder Shawback cautioned that greatness doesn’t happen by accident.
“We put a lot more time into (swimming) than a lot of people realize,” Deborah Shawback said. “A lot of preparation goes into all the things we do. It’s not just the 12 weeks (of the prep season) everyone thinks it is. You can’t do good unless you (swim) yearly.”
For Snohomish, the work never ends – but neither does the flow of accolades.
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