TACOMA — As the lone North Kitsap representative in the state pool for the second year in a row, Jeffrey Reeves knew his individual bar had risen. He climbed to meet the challenge as he broke his personal record on the state stage.

“I’ve been really disappointed this season, recovering from shoulder surgery in March. I haven’t been feeling good in the water,” Reeves said of the pain which has hindered his strokes since last year. “(Friday), I did what my coaches said, knowing I (could) do it. And I did it, I finally broke 57 (seconds), which I’ve been stuck at for two years.”

Reeves hit the state-qualifying mark in the 100M backstroke earlier this season in the NK pool. After hovering from 58 seconds up to 1:00 for most of the season, he streamlined to a 57.82 second time against Bremerton Jan. 12. He whittled that time down to just over 57.50 in practice, but the 57-second mark still seemed unreachable.

That is until he hit the water at Henry Foss High School in Tacoma Feb. 17.

Friday, in the preliminary swims, he finally broke the barrier as he raced to 11th place overall and shaved his time to 56.99.

Reeves’ elation commenced as he both captured his new personal best and secured a spot in the finals by finishing in the top 12. In the championship swims, he worked for another improvement as he dropped his time to 56.80, good enough for 13th place overall to cap a season-long struggle.

“I’m just glad Nathan (Adrian) is not coming back next year,” Reeves said. “I get to train with Nathan and (former state champion) Jesse Stipek and get better for next year.”

As the old adage goes: If you can’t beat them, join them. And more importantly, learn from them.

Reeves noted earlier in the season that studying Stipek as part of their year-round swimming club in Tacoma had boosted his performance. Now, with two years of state experience under his belt in addition to offseason training with champions, Reeves sights are set for next year, which he hopes will be a healthy senior year.

Though the Vikes lose eight seniors to graduation — including 2005-06 captains Josh Jones and Brian Parrott and all around breakout Kyle Rencher — Reeves will be back along with a strong supporting cast.

Krister Seaburg, who qualified for district in five different events in 2005-06, along with fellow-district-qualifiers Spencer Nagley and Ryan Eggers, will also be returning for NK next season.