<< Previous   of   Next >> Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Shorewood's Laurin Williams swims the 200-yard freestyle during her team's swimming and diving competition Sept. 17 at Shoreline Pool. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Shorewood's Dana Michaels swims the backstroke in the 200-yard individual medley. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Shorewood's Sariha McIntyre glides toward the water over judges.

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

Shorewood has talent to defend

State medalist Laurin Williams returns to lead T-Birds

By David Pan
Enterprise Sports editor

Shorewood is looking to defend its Western Conference South Division girls swimming championship and the numbers appear to favor the Thunderbirds.

As of last week, Shorewood had 56 swimmers and five divers. Among the returners is state placer Laurin Williams, a senior who finished third in the 500-yard freestyle at last year's Class 4A state championships. Williams earned all-American status with her time of 4 minutes, 56.52 seconds, which also was a school record. Williams placed ninth in the 200 individual medley and set another school record in the process.

Last week, Williams qualified for state in the 500 freestyle during a dual meet against Lake Stevens and then showed her versatility by winning the 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly against Snohomish.

The biggest addition for the Thunderbirds is junior Dana Michaels, who also has qualified for state in the 500 freestyle. Michaels, a club swimmer, was 1/10 of a second off the school record in the 100 butterfly.

“I think this is one of the strongest if not the strongest team I've ever coach,” said McDowell, who is entering her 13th year as head coach and 20th with the program.

The Thunderbirds lost some key individuals, including Tara McIntyre, but the addition of some talented freshmen have alleviated some of McDowell's concerns.

Freshman Anni Hecker is emerging as one of the team's top freestyler and freshman Annika Stenfjord is strong in the backstroke and the sprint freestyles, McDowell said.

Another state returner is junior Bethany Gehrke, who competed in the 500 freestyle, and junior diver Sariha McIntyre (no relation to Tara McIntyre).

McDowell anticipates that the 200 and 400 freestyle relays will be stronger than last year and she expects school records to fall.

“It all depends on the meet and putting the right people on it,” McDowell said.

Though some talented freshmen already are having an impact, some of the newcomers don't have much experience.

The mix of state-caliber competitors and beginner swimmers makes coaching interesting for McDowell and her assistants.

“It is a lot of fun,” she said. “We do function as a team. They get the picture. It's all about improvement. It doesn't matter where you're starting from.”

Shorewood was scheduled to face a major early test this week with a dual meet against Wesco North Division champion Jackson on Tuesday afternoon.

“We look at it as kind of a challenge,” McDowell said. “We glad to have the opportunity to swim against them. ... My kids always rise up against them. I anticipate it's going to be a good one.”