Seven swimmers, three divers largest group in five years
By Tony Dondero
Enterprise reporter
Shorecrest’s girls swim team dominated the 3A District 1 swim and dive meet, capturing the title by 87 points while sending seven swimmers and three divers on to the state 3A meet.
Shorecrest’s state contingent, which will continue competition Nov. 9-10 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, is its largest in at least the last five years.
“This is by far our best representation in individual events,” said fifth-year coach Bill Murray, who was named 3A District 1 Coach of the Year.
Of the 10 state qualifiers, only one, Clem Chalal, a member of the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays, is a senior. Shorecrest scored 363 points to outdistance second place Mount Vernon’s 276 Nov. 3 at Fidalgo Pool in Anacortes.
Sophomore Laura Millet, who had already qualified in her events, will go to state in four events, the 100-yard backstroke (first, 1:04.03), 100 butterfly (second, 1:02.76), 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.
“She probably has the best possibility of getting into the finals of her events at state,” Murray said.
Murray said he thought the backstroke was the Scots strongest event, with junior Hannah Gwazdauskas finishing second (1:06.22) and sophomore Alexa Peters missing a state berth by less than a second with a fourth-place finish.
Murray said he was pleased with the Scots’ relay performances at districts. All three relays will compete at state. The 200 medley relay was second at district (2:00.52), the 200 freestyle relay was second (1:47.39) and the 400 freestyle relay won (3:55.26).
“We gave three strong performances,” he said. “We definitely have time to drop. Making it through to Saturday would be great.”
Other individual state qualifiers are freshman Alaina Mordkhin in the 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay; sophomore Allyson Kim in the 200 individual medley, 500 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay; sophomore Danielle Good in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay; and sophomore Claire Wickstrom in the 100 breaststroke, 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay.
Shorecrest swept the diving competition with freshman Neva Mahler (first, 248.25 points), freshman Kate Stratton (second, 246.8) and junior Claire Matsunami (third, 233.55) qualifying for state.
Sophomore Katrina Young who took third at state last year, broke the growth plate in her left knee at a district dive meet Oct. 13, which ended her season.
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