Sisterly success

Edmonds-Woodway’s Sarah and Mary Beth Spillman couldn’t have more distinct personalities.

Sarah, the eldest of the two sisters, is an introspective sort, who puts a lot of time and thought into everything she does, according to Edmonds-Woodway girls swim coach Rob Kvamme.

While Kvamme has worked with the junior standout for three years and had her as a student in two of his classes, he’s still getting to know Mary Beth, a freshman.

The younger Spillman possesses what Kvamme describes as an infectious enthusiasm and a fearless attitude toward competition.

“She likes to have fun,” said Kvamme, who has Mary Beth in one of his advisory periods. “She doesn’t seem to be phased by anything. It doesn’t matter if we’re swimming the top team in the conference or one of the other teams, she still gets up for all the races.”

Words that come to Sarah’s mind when asked about her younger sister, include “loud,” “crazy,” and “full of energy.”

“We are quite different,” said Sarah, after Monday’s practice at Lynnwood Pool.

The two Spillmans take vastly different approaches to practice.

“I work really hard in practice,” Sarah said.

The same can’t be said for Mary Beth.

“She’s not a very good practicer,” Sarah said. “She just slacks off most of the time and she goes to meets and then she just kicks everyone’s butt.”

Mary Beth doesn’t argue with her sister’s assessment.

“I have a hard time at practice,” she admitted. “It’s hard to get motivated … I guess I’m not much of a practice person. I can race really well.”

Personalities and practice habits aside, the two Spillman sisters do share at least two major things in common — the ability to excel in the pool and a strong sisterly bond.

“We’re each other’s best friends,” Sarah said.

Heading into the postseason, the Spillmans have already qualified for state in four individual events and two relays.

Sarah, who placed ninth in the 200- and 500-yard freestyles at last year’s Class 4A state meet, has met the state qualification standards in both of those events and in the 200 individual medley. Mary Beth has posted qualifying times in the 50 and 100 freestyles. In addition, the Spillmans helped both the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams achieve state times.

Kvamme admits having two state-caliber swimmers who specialize in different events makes life a little easier.

But given the Spillmans’ distinct personalities, he isn’t surprised that Mary Beth does the sprints, while Sarah focuses on the longer events.

“If you’re a sprinter all you have to worry about is 50 yards, down and back and down and back,” Kvamme said. “You really can live in the moment and there’s no real margin for thinking. You’ve got to go out and do it.”

In the distance events — Sarah’s specialty — swimmers have more time to consider strategies and how to approach races.

“I think it fits their personalities,” Kvamme said.

At last year’s state competition, Sarah swam her best times of the season on the final day of the meet but was disappointed with her efforts in the preliminary heats.

“I messed up my prelim swims to get into the finals,” Sarah said. “I always go easier (in the prelims) than I’m supposed to and I can manage to place fourth or fifth in the finals but I’m in the consolation heat.”

Kvamme noted that what happens in the prelims determines who advances to the finals and the consolation finals. Spillman just missed out on advancing to the finals and had to settle for the 200 and 500 freestyle consolation finals instead.

Sarah took first place in both consolation races to finish ninth overall. Her goal this year is a top three finish in the 500 freestyle.

“You can’t move up out of consolations and she knows that,” Kvamme said. “I think she’ll have better prelims this year and I’m sure Mary Beth is just going to be really charged up about it.”

Mary Beth hasn’t given a lot of thought about the state meet yet but is hoping for a top six finish in the 100.

“I’m having a lot of fun,” Mary Beth said. “That’s pretty much what I came to do.”