Peninsula swimmers earn four state cuts

Gig Harbor boys survive 98-88 in Narrows League victory against Wilson

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

Competition brings out the best in high school athletes.

The Peninsula Seahawks boys swimming and diving team earned four Class 3A state qualifications and beat Capital 104-79 last Thursday in a non-league dual meet at home.

The competition resulted in six state cuts, and it was the Seahawks’ best performance of the season.

Peninsula head coach Craig Brown said the training leading into the winter break is paying off: the Seahawks are 6-0.

“We’re starting to see some of the younger swimmers blossom and develop,” Brown said. “The icing on the cake was the state qualifications.”

Peninsula won every race except the 200-meter freestyle and the 100 backstroke.

Seahawks senior Michael Lee clinched a state berth in the 200 individual medley in 2 minutes, 16.75 seconds, and he was a member of the 200 medley relay that earned a state cut in 1:54.22.

Lee said qualifying for state early in the season takes the weight off his shoulders.

“Making any (state) cut is a relief,” he said. “This meet showed our ability to pull out a win, even though the team (Capital) was really strong.”

Peninsula’s next test before the sub-district meet will be against the Lakes Lancers on Jan. 7.

Seahawks senior Aki McFarlane, who swims for King Aquatic Club, qualified for state in the 50 free (24.75) and 100 free (55.67). He said he knew Capital would present tough competition.

“We’re progressing each meet so we can eventually do better at sub-districts, districts and state,” McFarlane said. “We haven’t lost so far, so we’re doing exceptionally well.”

With all the training he’s been doing in the 100 back, McFarlane said he may scratch the 100 free in postseason competition and compete solely in the backstroke event.

“This year, back was more of a focus, but in the past, it’s just been my favorite stroke,” he said.

With two weeks off, Brown said the meet against Capital was a way to gauge how the team was improving before the winter break.

“We just have to take it one meet at a time and swim the best we can,” he said.

Gig Harbor Tides remain undefeated in dual meets

The Gig Harbor boys swimming and diving team also had a tough dual meet last week against the Wilson Rams, but the Tides squeezed out a 98-88 win to remain unbeaten in the 4A Narrows League.

The Rams nearly pulled off the upset after they won two of three relay events and the 1-meter diving portion of the meet.

But Gig Harbor, led by seniors Spencer Neff, Tyler Kaslik and junior Dakota Moist, captured each individual race, including the 200 medley relay in 1:44.32.