LYNNWOOD — Some strong individual performances highlighted the final regular season competition for the four Edmonds District boys swim teams.
The cancellation of the Edmonds District meet meant that Tuesday’s double dual meets among Edmonds-Woodway, Lynnwood, Meadowdale and Mountlake Terrace were the regular season finales for all four squads.
The Mavericks were the big winners, posting a 125-39 victory over Mountlake Terrace and a 109-61 win over Edmonds-Woodway.
“I was pleased with today’s times because they were all very good as far as where we’re at on this part of the season,” said Meadowdale coach Wally Nagel. “We had some excellent times.”
Jonathan Keane won the 100- and 200-yard freestyles, while Derek Shiu captured the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. Jason Merrifield finished first in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke.
Three individuals and all three Meadowdale relay teams already are state bound. Keane has qualified in the 100 and 200 freestyles and the 100 backstroke. He will be focusing on the freestyles at state.
Shiu has met the state qualification standard in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley and Merrifield has a state time in the 50 freestyle.
“We finished well last year and we would like to improve on that,” Nagel said.
So far, so good.
“It’s gone well. I’m a little ahead of where I was last year,” Keane said. “As far as swimming as a team, we did really well. Everybody has good times and we’re looking forward to state.”
The Mavericks placed 10th at the Class 3A championships last year and Keane expects the team to move up in the standings.
“I think we can get top five this year,” he said. “We’re looking forward to state and hopefully improving our places at both districts and state.”
Edmonds-Woodway coach Matt Delaney came away optimistic about his team’s prospects at next week’s Wesco South sectional meet.
“We had a really positive meet all the way around,” Delaney said. “It’s not reflected in the scores but in the guys’ times.”
The lone state qualifier for the Warriors so far is Tony Dennis, who has state times in the 100 butterfly and the 100 and 200 freestyles.
“I actually think I had a pretty good season this year,” Dennis said. “I think it was better than last year. All my races felt better.”
Even though he underwent knee surgery after the end of last season, Dennis’ times have improved this year.
His teammates also have made significant progress and Dennis expects to have company at the King County Aquatic Center in two weeks.
“We’ve been working hard in practice,” he said. “We had a good season practice-wise. Everyone pretty much has been improving. I don’t think there’s anyone on our team who hasn’t been improving. We’ve just had a ton of drops and consistent drops.”
Edmonds-Woodway’s 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams have good shots at nabbing state berths at sectionals, Delaney added.
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