<< Previous   of   Next >> Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Shorecrest's Neva Mahler twists and spins in midair for her final dive during her team's swimming and diving competition Sept. 17 at Shoreline Pool. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Shorecrest's Jacqualine Blackmore hits the water for her third dive. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Shorecrest's Laura Millett swims the 200-yard individual medley relay.

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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

Scots aim for another district title

By Alex Bosworth
For The Enterprise

Over the past few years, the Shorecrest girls swimming team has been quietly carving out its own little dynasty in the world of 3A swimming.

Specifically, the Scots have won the 3A District I meet the past three years – and have a very real chance of making it four in a row this year.

Shorecrest head coach Bill Murray, entering his seventh year with the program, credits all the recent success to two things: a strong diving program and a deep senior class that has been making waves since they were freshmen.

“It's really been the current senior class,” Murray said. “When they came in as freshmen (it was a) good class. They made us a team that has depth and ability. … They've been the driving force over the past few years.”

“It's almost like a team within a team,” Murray added.

Now seniors, the class of 2010 has one last chance to leave a lasting impact – and they're not taking the opportunity for granted.

“It'd be amazing,” said senior Allyson Kim of the chance to win a fourth straight district championship. “It's been great being with all these girls. … It's our last hurrah.”

Kim was actually a late addition to the class, missing the first district championship her freshman year because she was home schooled and didn't transfer into Shorecrest until she was a sophomore. Regardless, the Scots are no doubt glad she's there now. This year, Kim has already posted state qualifying times in both the 200 and 500 freestyle.

The tight-knit group of 12 seniors also includes Laura Millet, who has posted state times in the 100 fly and 100 backstroke this year, returning state competitor Claire Wickstrom, whose main event is the breaststroke, and captain Alexa Peters and Kathryn Rice.

The diving program, on the other hand, is helmed by two juniors who are returning state competitors: Nevah Mahler (a diving captain) and Jacqueline Blackmore both went to state in 2008.

Murray describes the diving program as sort of an ace-in-the-hole, a chance for Shorecrest to pick up points against schools that don't have strong divers.

“It's given us an edge over a lot of other teams,” Murray said.

One Wesco team that does have a good diving team according to Murray is Glacier Peak, which finished second to Shorecrest in districts last year.

Murray expects a strong challenge from them again this year.

“They were right behind us,” Murray said. “… One thing they were missing last year was a little bit of depth (because Glacier Peak didn't have a senior class). … We're very similar teams.”

Glacier Peak might be another year older and wiser, but the early returns favor Shorecrest: The Scots edged the Grizzlies 99-87 on Sept. 17 at Shoreline pool.

“It was just a matter of one or two events,” Murray said of the meet. “… To achieve our goal of being district champion, it's going to come down to the kids supporting the kids, the kids behind (the top swimmers), how well they can do.”

Some new faces should help Shorecrest keep its small advantage over Glacier Peak.

Junior Angela Bonato is in her first year with Shorecrest swimming, after sitting out her sophomore year due to the fact she transferred from Lakeside.

Kim describes Bonato as a “great sprinter,” that also trains at Cascade Swim Club along with herself and Mallet.

Another newcomer with a chance to help is freshman Sarah Semon.

“She's a very talented swimmer,” Murray said. “She's going to have a good high school career.”

Adding talent to a team that sent all three relays to 3A state last year and around six individual swimmers will certainly leave Shorecrest in a position of strength at districts.

In the Wesco South, Kim and Murray both expect 4A Shorewood to continue its command of the conference. Other strong teams that might challenge Shorecrest, which Murray said finished second in the conference last year, are 4A schools Kamiak and Edmonds-Woodway.

“Those teams (Shorewood, Kamiak, Edmonds-Woodway) will be our big three (conference) meets,” Murray said.