Wolfpack progressing but still loses to Scots

MILL CREEK

Jackson’s Jimmy Rogers was glad for the opportunity to race head-to-head against one of the top swimmers in the Western Conference South Division.

Rogers faced off against Shorecrest’s Tyler Hayden in the 200-yard individual medley and both senior standouts recorded personal best times in the event.

Hayden took first place in a state qualifiying time of 1 minute 59.91 seconds in an event he usually does not swim in, while Rogers finished second in 2:00.30 during a Western Conference South Division boys swimming dual meet Jan. 10 at the West Coast Aquatics Center. The Scots went to defeat the Timberwolves 106-64.

The matchup came as a surprise to Rogers.

“I didn’t know he was going to do it at first, but I’m kind of glad he did because he really pushed me,” Rogers said. “I think I pushed him too. It was a good race.”

This was only the second time Hayden has competed in the 200 individual medley this season. He dropped about three seconds from his previous effort, according to Shorecrest interim head coach Suzie McDowell.

Rogers was pretty spent after the 200 individual medley race but nevertheless still had enough to cruise to a victory in the 100 backstroke (56.79).

“(The 200 individual medley) pretty much killed me for the rest of the meet,” Rogers said. “But I still made state in the backstroke. I’m happy with that. It could have been better.”

Rogers and Jackson wrap up the regular season with a meet against Lynnwood and Meadowdale on Jan. 24, and then get ready for the district meet on Feb. 7 and 9. Rogers isn’t quite sure which events he’ll be focusing on in the postseason.

At last year’s state meet, Rogers placed sixth in the 200 individual medley and seventh in the 100 backstroke.

“I feel pretty good. I feel pretty confident going into the end of the season,” Rogers said. “I’m far ahead of where I was at the end of last season, so I’m pretty excited. I’m still not really sure which events I’m going to do.”

Rogers has always been a solid swimmer, but his preparation in the offseason has taken him to another level, according to Jackson coach Drew Whorley.

“Jimmy is swimming fantastic. Technically, he’s made some great strides over the course of the last six months,” Whorley said. “He’s grown a little bit. His confidence is brimming. … He’s much more well-rounded. I’ve always considered Jimmy versatile. He’s got everything now. He’s kind of the total package.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how he can go at the end of the season.”

Rogers has made the trip to the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way every year since his freshman season. Whorley said he and Rogers will take a look at what other people are doing and then settle on which events the Jackson senior will focus on.

“Assuming everything winds up the way we expect it to, I think he’s going to be extremely competitive at the state meet,” Whorley said.

Rogers said that his younger teammates had a good showing against the more experienced Scots’ squad. In addition to Rogers’ victory in the 100 backstroke, Nick Win captured the 200 freestyle in 1:57.13 and Cameron Wu won the 50 freestyle in 24.73.

“We competed in all our races and we made every race pretty close,” Rogers said. “We were right there with them the whole time.”

Win, a freshman, has emerged as second fastest swimmer. He is an all-round solid swimmer in all of the strokes, Win finished second in the 100 butterfly, Whorley said. “It’s been a real pleasant surprise for us. I wasn’t aware that we were going to have someone with his talent on the team this year. He’s got a great work ethic. He’s got good strokes. He’s pretty versatile as well. It’s been nice to be able to plug him in to different events.”

Other consistent performers include Wu, Matt Knorr and Colin Chang. Wu finished third in the 100 freestyle, while Knorr had a second in the 100 backstroke and a third in the 100 butterfly.

“We’re not quite as deep as we’ve been in years past,” Whorley said. “We’re just now really figuring out who we are as a team and gaining an identity and really starting to be competitive in every event, which has been the goal for us.”