Vikes make waves in last home meet

POULSBO — The decibels reached inside of the NK pool Tuesday may have rivaled that of a Green Day show as the gold-topped Lady Vikes let their voices ring in a defeat at their last home meet of the season. The Port Angeles Roughriders came to town to spoil senior night on the score sheet, 92-78, but they couldn’t silence North’s spirit.

POULSBO — The decibels reached inside of the NK pool Tuesday may have rivaled that of a Green Day show as the gold-topped Lady Vikes let their voices ring in a defeat at their last home meet of the season.

The Port Angeles Roughriders came to town to spoil senior night on the score sheet, 92-78, but they couldn’t silence North’s spirit.

Five NK swimmers qualified in another event at the meet. More than half of the qualified squad has now measured up in more than five events for the upcoming districts meet in Tacoma.

“We’ve got a lot of kids qualified in a lot of different events,” said coach Greg Braun. “Which gives us more leeway to move kids around in the line-up.”

The first NK highlight of the PA meet came in the 200 IM when Whitney Glebe and Marina Morshead both hit the qualifying mark in a one-two finish. Glebe touched in at 2:38.55, Morshead at just under 2:45.

Following the first four events, North’s three seniors, Morshead, Anna Dale and Jessica Hanna were recognized. Memories and words of wisdom were shared, and the seniors were commended with a bouquet and an ovation.

Morshead shined again as the swims resumed; she finished third and qualified in the 100 meter fly. She is now ready for districts in four events.

Stephanie Longmate, who has qualified in eight events, carried enthusiasm by winning the 100 free in the next race. Finishing a hair over one minute, she won by seven seconds.

Then in the 500 free, Talitha Aban picked up one more event for districts. She swam a 6:46, good enough to finish fourth. Lady Vike Ingred Reeves won the race easily in 6:15.

Longmate touched at 1:06.96 in the 100 backstroke, three seconds ahead of the closest Port Angeles competitor. Longmate has the potential to finish top-six in the backstroke as well as top-12 in the 100 free at districts, coach Braun said. Picking up her second event in the second-to-last race of the meet, Dale qualified for the 100 breastroke, catching third-place points for the Lady Vikes.

“I’d qualified before,” senior Dale said of her other event, the 500 free. “I just needed to get out there and push myself for this one.”

Dale and the departing seniors pushed themselves as well as the team. They left the NK pool on a good note, coach Braun agreed. And in to the divisional meet Thursday, they and the districts-qualified swimmers were at Port Angeles supporting, encouraging and pushing their team.

“We had quite a few best times,” Braun said. Some of the districts swimmers vowed to do some 25 crunches for each second dropped in the pool, Braun said. “And the times just started dropping.”

The Aqua-Vikes are focused on more best times in the upcoming districts meet which is this weekend in Tacoma. Ten Lady Vikes will represent the NK team.

“We’ve done all the hard work,” Braun said. “All we’ve got left to do is polish.”

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