State boys swim preview: Top local swimmers, divers, teams

Here’s a preview of the high school boys swim and dive state championships, including some of the many local swimmers, divers and teams to watch:

When: Thursday-Saturday

Where: King County Aquatic Center (Federal Way)

Thursday’s schedule: Class 2A/1A diving prelims/finals, 8:30 a.m.; 3A diving prelims/finals, 1 p.m.; 4A diving prelims/finals, 5:30 p.m.

Friday’s schedule: 2A/1A swimming prelims, 8:45 a.m.; 3A swimming prelims, 1:30 p.m.; 4A swimming prelims, 6:15 p.m.

Saturday’s schedule: 2A/1A swimming finals, 8:30 a.m.; 3A swimming finals, 1:15 p.m.; 4A swimming finals, 6 p.m.

Notes: This is the first state meet since 2020, due to last year’s event being canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. All seeding mentioned below is in reference to an athlete’s seed within his classification.

LOCAL SWIMMERS TO WATCH

Alex Georgiev, sr., Jackson (4A)

Georgiev is seeded No. 2 in the 100-yard butterfly, sitting 1.32 seconds behind the top seed. He’s also seeded No. 3 in the 50 freestyle, at just 0.24 seconds behind the top seed. In both events, his seed times are within 0.05 seconds of All-American consideration. He was a multi-event individual state quaifier as both a freshman and sophomore, with his best finish being 10th in the 100 backstroke in 2020.

Jensen Elsemore, sr., Jackson (4A)

Elsemore is seeded No. 4 in both the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle. He was a multi-event individual state qualifier as both a freshman and sophomore. He had a pair of top-10 state finishes in 2020, placing fifth in the 100 freestyle and ninth in the 200 freestyle.

Garrett Chesley, jr., Lake Stevens (4A)

Chesley is seeded No. 3 in the 100 backstroke, sitting 1.35 seconds behind the top seed. He’s also seeded No. 9 in the 100 butterfly. He qualified for a pair of individual state events as a freshman in 2020.

Braden Thompson, sr., Jackson (4A)

Thompson is seeded No. 7 in the 200 freestyle and No. 13 in the 500 freestyle.

Kaiu Taylor, soph., Glacier Peak (4A)

Taylor is seeded No. 8 in the 50 freestyle and is part of a tightly packed group, with less than 0.25 seconds separating seeds 5-12. He’s also seeded No. 16 in the 100 backstroke.

Noah Henderson, jr., Cascade (3A)

Henderson is seeded No. 7 in the 100 breaststroke and No. 11 in the 200 individual medley.

Mate Pallos, jr., Edmonds-Woodway (3A)

Pallos is seeded No. 9 in the 100 backstroke and No. 11 in the 100 freestyle. He was a multi-event individual state qualifier as a freshman in 2020.

Philip Wold, sr., Archbishop Murphy (2A)

Wold is seeded No. 7 in the 100 breaststroke and No. 12 in 200 individual medley.

Evan Wold, fr., Archbishop Murphy (2A)

Wold is seeded No. 7 in the 100 butterfly and No. 15 in the 100 breaststroke.

LOCAL DIVERS TO WATCH

Jaden Cardona, sr., Lake Stevens (4A)

Cardona is seeded No. 2 in the diving competition at 490.90 points. The University of South Dakota signee is seeded 41.05 points behind top-seeded Issaquah senior and defending state champion Robert Gref, whose seed total is 531.95 points. The overall state meet record is 530.53 points, while the 4A state meet record is 509.10 points. Cardona earned a fifth-place state medal as a sophomore and an 11th-place state finish as a freshman.

Benjamin Gmyrek, sr., Glacier Peak (4A)

Gmyrek is seeded No. 7 in the diving competition at 317.25 points.

Nate Huh-Orrantia, jr., Marysville Getchell (3A)

Huh-Orrantia is seeded No. 5 in the diving competition at 349.70 points. He is seeded 48.55 points behind the top seed.

LOCAL TEAMS TO WATCH

Jackson (4A). With their top-end firepower, the Timberwolves are the best-positioned of all local teams to rack up points and earn a high finish in their classification’s team standings. Between its three state-qualifying relay teams and five multi-event individual qualifiers, Jackson has a combined 12 top-16 seeds and six top-four seeds. The Timberwolves’ 200 freestyle relay team is seeded No. 2, sitting 0.97 seconds behind top-seeded Curtis. And their 200 medley relay team is seeded No. 4. Jackson is seeking its seventh consecutive top-10 state finish.

Lake Stevens (4A). The Vikings rode their depth to the 4A District 1 team title last week, which is believed to be their program’s first-ever district championship. Lake Stevens qualified four individuals for state and all three relays, including their No. 8-seeded 400 freestyle relay team. The Vikings have a total of six top-16 seeds, including three top-eight seeds.

Glacier Peak (4A). The Grizzlies qualified seven individuals for state — including three divers — and two relay teams. They have a total of nine top-16 seeds.

Shorecrest (3A). The Scots rode their depth to their second consecutive 3A District 1 team title last week. They qualified eight individuals for state, including three multi-event qualifiers. They also qualified all three relays, including their No. 9-seeded 400 freestyle relay team. They have a total of seven top-16 seeds, but no top-eight seeds.

Archbishop Murphy (2A). The Wildcats qualified four individuals for state, including three multi-event qualifiers. They also qualified their No. 7-seeded 200 freestyle relay team and their No. 8-seeded 200 medley relay team. They have a total of eight top-16 seeds and seven top-12 seeds.