PORT ORCHARD — At their last chance to make the district cut at the Narrows League divisional swims Oct. 20, all of the Aqua-Vikes looking for a qualifying time fell short.

However, best times were raised and seconds were dropped as North continued to celebrate its season-long goal of individual improvement. And while most of the squad put up its final times of the season in the divisional meet at the South Kitsap High School pool, seven Vikings — present at the meet to support their teammates — were already locked in the district meet by cinching a qualifying time earlier in the season.

A batch of Vikings hoping to extend their season at the divisional meet swam great times, said NK coach Greg Braun, but not good enough to move on.

In the first event of the day, NK’s four 200 medley relay teams combined to drop more than 60 seconds, while individuals in other events put up personal bests as well, Braun said.

Rebecca Rovek crashed through the 1:23 barrier in the 100 freestyle but needed under 1:20 to qualify. Emily Kelleigh also improved her 100 free time, she dropped three seconds while Olivia Finlay and Kathryn Surber each dropped four from their respective times.

“Kathryn Surber had a really great day,” Braun said, noting that the sophomore also improved her best time by five seconds in the 200 independent medley.

Sophomore Alisa Hopper swam to the biggest time drop for North at the divisional meet as she improved by nine seconds on her backstroke.

Six of eight NK breaststrokers picked up personal bests as well, though no new district qualifiers climbed out of the pool for the Vikings.

For those who have qualified, Braun said, the atmosphere at the WCD meet at Foss High School should be competitively conducive as its format will pit swimmers in heats according to the nearest equal times.

“In your races, they seed you with kids that swim your own time, and it really helps you to swim faster,” said junior Talitha Aban, who is headed to district for the second time in her career. “I like district because you can measure up neck and neck.”

Aban, Natalie Fritsch, Whitney Glebe, Stephanie Longmate, Brittany McKenzie, Kathryn Parker and Rebecca Rovek will take the blocks for the Vikings at the Narrows League Championships Thursday.

The times recorded at the NL finals will also be entered — along with those from the South Puget Sound League meet — as the preliminary round of the West Central District III Meet. Those with the top 18 times of each event from both league finals will advance to the WCD finals which will be Saturday at Rogers High School.

“There are so many things that come into play at this point in the season,” Braun said, surveying the NL field of best times, looking at the possibilities of any of North’s three relay teams making the district finals. “If they have a great swim, then they could go.”