Parker logs All-American time at districts

By AARON MANAGHAN

Sports editor

If Central Kitsap senior swimmer Seth Parker was looking to go out on a strong note, he certainly got the right jump off the blocks.

Parker won two 4A West Central District III Boys Swim titles last weekend, logging an All-American time in the process.

“I’d say he was and is on cloud nine,” CK boys swim coach Steve LaHaie said. “And rightfully so,”

In the 100-yard freestyle, Parker recorded a career-best time of 47.29 seconds for the win. In the 100 breast, the event Parker has excelled at most throughout his high school career, culminating in a second-place finish at last year’s state championships, he swam a 57.47 race, shattering not only his personal best, but CK’s school record along with it. The time is also an automatic All-American time.

“Very briefly we touched on his goals as far as splits in order to surpass the school record and his focus on the race and he just nailed it,” LaHaie said. “I knew he had it in him, but it really impressed me how he surpassed even my expectations. Now it’s time to reset some goals to work towards.”

While Parker will be a favorite heading into the state tournament next weekend, he might be going solo. CK finds out by tomorrow if the team’s 200 medley relay, featuring Parker, Kyle Bonnell, Joe Phillips and David Richardson, can advance after taking seventh with the third-overall posted time of the weekend at 1:46.22. The bid is not automatic.

It was efforts like those that made districts a success no matter how many move on, LaHaie said.

“Absolutely everybody. Kyle Bonnell, Joe Phillips, Tyler Hirata, David Richardson, Jeremy Torres, and Eric Reichel, they all did so well,” LaHaie said. “Although getting to this meet last year was different, we only had Seth and the relays swimming at this meet. This year we had six individuals plus one more on a relay swimming.”

Overall, CK finished in 12th place with 49 points. Curtis won the meet, totalling 198.

While the season ended last weekend for most CK swimmers, LaHaie said it was a group he’ll remember, especially the seniors.

“They are a fun group of guys, certainly keeping me on my toes,” he said. “At the same time they are huge cheerleaders for each other and encourage everybody on the team to be their best. It may be difficult to replace that.”

The 3A/2A WCD III Meet is today, with state next weekend.