One event changed the complexion of meet for South Kitsap.
The Wolves appeared set to qualify for state in the 400-yard freestyle relay Saturday at the West Central District III Class 4A swimming and diving championships at Puyallup’s Rogers High School.
But after South achieved the necessary time, officials announced the team had been disqualified when a swimmer jumped early on the third leg.
“It was kind of a disappointing weekend, but I didn’t have too many of those,” said Dennis Anderson, who has coached the girls at South since 1986. “It’s disappointing because they swam so fast. But that’s the way it works.”
Freshman Nicole Hinely had the best finish for the Wolves at districts when she placed third in the 100 butterfly (1 minute, 1.26 seconds). Hinely was the youngest competitor in the event. Decatur senior Briley Boggs won it in 56.83 seconds, followed by Jefferson sophomore Savanah Coe (1:00.86). Hinely was happy with the finish and hopes to perform even better at the Nov. 13-15 state meet at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.
“My expectation is to break a minute in the fly,” Hinely said.
Hinely didn’t achieve a qualifying time in the 200 individual medley at district, but accomplished that during the regular season, which means she also can compete in that event at state.
Anderson said he wants to “taper” — a swimming term referring to a reduced workload — Hinely in preparation for state. He said he was reticent to do that before districts because Hinely primarily swimmers shorter events.
Sophomore Angela Pearson finished the 500 freestyle in fifth place at 5:22.61. The event was won by Olympia sophomore Clara Heffernan (5:09.64). Pearson didn’t meet the state-qualifying time (5:20), but advances to state because the WCD automatically sends its top seven competitors in that event to state. It’s the second time Pearson will compete in the 500 freestyle at state.
“My goal for state is to try and get under 5:20,” she said. “I just need to work hard and keep my pace up.”
Pearson also competed in the 200 freestyle and finished eighth in 2:03.91. The event was won by Stadium senior Scarlett Cann (1:51.6). It wasn’t enough for Pearson to qualify for state in that event.
“I thought she had a really good shot,” Anderson said. “All-around she probably had the best meet.”
The disqualification in the relay cost the Wolves a top-10 finish. South placed 13th among 23 competing schools with 41 points. Gig Harbor won the team title with 221 points.
Results
Team scores: Gig Harbor 221, Todd Beamer 169, Stadium 145, Jefferson 105, Decatur 84, Kentridge 82, Rogers 79, Kentlake 76, Auburn 48, Puyallup 48, Olympia 45, Tahoma 42, South Kitsap 41, Federal Way 37, Kentwood 36, Central Kitsap 35, Shelton 33, Kent-Meridian 16, Emerald Ridge 13, Curtis 11, Wilson 7, Auburn Riverside 3, Mount Tahoma 1.
Individuals (state qualifiers): 200 medley relay-1, Todd Beamer 1:52.31; 2, Gig Harbor 1:52.52; 3, Jefferson 1:56.47. 200 freestyle-1, Scarlett Cann (St) 1:51.6; 2, Clara Heffernan (O) 1:55.32; 3, Kaela Pettitt (R) 1:58.89. 200 individual medley-1, Trish Averill (A) 2:09.71; 2, Taylor Indahl (GH) 2:12.28; 3, Rachel Kim (TB) 2:13.68; 4, Kelsey Crowder (D) 2:13.89. 50 freestyle-1, Amber Cratsenberg (J) 24.26; 2, Briley Boggs (D) 24.68; 3, Eryn Murphy (TB) 24.83; 4, Alex Coffaro (GH) 25.17; 5, Emily Mohr (KR) 25.24; 6, Joanna Wu (KM) 25.28. 100 butterfly-1, Boggs (D) 56.83; 2, Savanah Coe (J) 1:00.86; 3, Nicole Hinely (SK) 1:01.26; 4, Kelly Erickson (TB) 1:01.34. 100 freestyle-1, Chelsea Bailey (KL) 50.17; 2, Cann (St) 52.21; 3, Cratsenberg (J) 52.54; 4, Murphy (TB) 54.36; 5, Danielle Ellis (GH) 55.08; 6, Coffaro (GH) 55.38; 7, Wu (KM) 55.35; 8, Mohr (KR) 55.55; 9, Brittaney Janda (Sh) 55.66. 500 freestyle-1, Heffernan (O) 5:09.64; 2, Pettitt (R) 5:14.53. 200 freestyle-1, Todd Beamer 1:40.99; 2, Gig Harbor 1:41.98; 3, Kentlake 1:42.14; 4, Jefferson 1:44.65. 100 backstroke-1, Bailey (KL) 54.99; 2, Kim (TB) 1:00.2; 3, Rachel Reese (Ta) 1:01.55; 4, Kelsey Crowder (D) 1:01.55; 5, Sasha Vanderscheldon (St) 1:01.84; 6, Heide Luong (GH) 1:02.67. 100 breaststroke-1, Trish Averill (A) 1:07.56; 2, Laurel Barrett (R) 1:08.51; 3, Indahl (GH) 1:08.75; 4, Coe (J) 1:09.19; 5, Kari Keller (KR) 1:10.3. 400 freestyle relay-1, Stadium 3:40.1; 2, Gig Harbor 3:45.11; 3, Kentridge 3:48.59; 4, Puyallup 3:50.42; 5, Kentlake 3:50.63.
