What to watch for at state swimming & diving meets

A few of the many local swimmers, divers and teams to watch during the state swim and dive championships Friday and Saturday in Federal Way:

LOCAL SWIMMERS TO WATCH

Mia Chang, soph., Jackson. Chang is the top seed in the Class 4A 100-yard backstroke and fourth in the 100 breaststroke. She earned a pair of top-five state medals last year as a freshman, placing third in the 100 backstroke and fifth in the 200 individual medley.

Jetlynn Hau, jr., Stanwood. Hau is the top seed in the 3A 100 breaststroke and 11th in the 200 IM. She placed third in the 100 breastroke at each of the past two state meets and added a seventh-place finish in the 200 IM last year. She is the first-ever Stanwood girls swimmer to win two individual district titles at the same meet and be a top seed heading into state, according to coach Rita Peterson.

Elli Straume, jr., Kamiak. Straume, who already has four individual state podium finishes, is seeded third in 4A for both the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle. Last year, she placed second in the 200 freestyle and fourth in the 100 freestyle. Two years ago as a freshman, she placed third in the 100 freestyle and seventh in the 200 IM.

LOCAL DIVERS TO WATCH

Kayli Kersavage, soph., Snohomish. The reigning 3A state diving champion looks to defend her crown after capturing last year’s title by the slimmest of margins. She enters the state meet as the No. 2 seed behind Squalicum senior Helene Synnott, who Kersavage edged by 0.15 points for last year’s title.

Ryzele Lagdaan, jr., Glacier Peak. Lagdaan is the fourth-seeded diver in 4A. She placed 10th and 12th in the past two state meets.

LOCAL TEAMS TO WATCH

Jackson. The Timberwolves edged Kamiak by three points last week to claim the 4A Northwest District title. Jackson is sending all three relay teams to state, including its fourth-seeded 400 freestyle relay and fifth-seeded 200 medley relay squads. The T-wolves qualified five individuals for state, including two in multiple events. Jackson has earned four consecutive top-five state team finishes, including a share of the 2014 state title.

Kamiak. All three of the Knights’ relay teams enter the state meet seeded among the top six in 4A. Kamiak is sending six individual qualifiers to state, including three in multiple events. The Knights have earned three consecutive top-eight finishes at state.

Snohomish. The Panthers edged Shorecrest by four points last week to claim the 3A Northwest District title. Snohomish is sending all three relay teams and six individual qualifiers to state, including three multi-event individual qualifiers.

Shorecrest. The Scots are sending all three relay teams to state, including a 200 freestyle relay squad that’s seeded fourth in 3A. Shorecrest qualified seven individuals for state, including four in multiple events.