MILL CREEK
The Jackson boys swim team has come a long way in a short time.
Considering where some of the Timberwolves started there is plenty of upside the rest of the season.
Jackson scored a 93-77 victory over Cascade in a dual meet on Dec. 11 at the West Coast Aquatics Center.
“I was really happy with what I saw in our meet against Cascade,” said Jackson coach Drew Whorley. “Every swim meet is going to be competitive for us.”
Whorley might not have said that at the start of turnouts.
“We had kids, six or seven of them their first week they couldn’t swim 25 yards,” Whorley said. “We had kids that were scared to put their face in the water and we’ve gotten beyond all that.”
While he would not use the term rebuilding, the Wolfpack definitely have a different make-up than the Jackson girls swim team, which recently won its first-ever state championship.
“It’s a totally fresh experience,” Whorley said. “We’re just trying to make the most of what we’ve got and I really just want everybody to have fun with it and enjoy it. Thus far I’ve been incredibly pleased with the attendance and the attitude and the effort that we’re seeing day in and day out in the water.
“We’ve already seen a difference in just two meets.”
While some of the Timberwolves lack experience, Jackson returns a state placer in sophomore Nick Win, who finished 12th in the 200 individual medley at last season’s Class 4A championships.
“I’m ready for hopefully a great season,” said Win, who also swam in the 100 backstroke preliminaries. “I’ve conditioned well this summer.”
Win has fond memories of being at the state championships as a freshman.
“It was a great experience,” he said. “It’s a big meet. … You’ve got to take advantage of those moments and next time do better, of course, which I plan to do this year.”
Said Whorley, “He’s looking faster than he was last year so that’s exciting.”
He added that Jackson has a pretty solid core of swimmers, who’ve been in the program for a while. Jeff and Tim Walters, Cameron Wu, Matt Knorr and Colin Chang all will help keep Jackson competitive throughout the dual meet season.
“They are kids who have been with us for a couple of years and are pretty versatile, which gives us some options in the lineup,” Whorley said, “and they’ll help fill out the depth that we need to be able to try and compete week in and week out.”
Jeff Walters scored victories in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke. Win finished first in the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle. Wu won the 100 freestyle.
As for the newcomers, many of them are cross country runners, who are trying to stay in shape for the track season.
“So with several of them there’s quite a bit of athletic ability and they pick up on things relatively quickly,” Whorley said.
Jackson cross country coach Eric Hruschka has been a big promoter of having his athletes swim.
“I think it’s served a lot of his athletes really well come track season,” Whorley said.
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