Cougs splash past Oly

Standing on the deck of the Olympic Aquatic Center Pool, Olympic girls swimming coach Paul Henderson had a smile on his face Thursday afternoon.

“That was a fun meet,” the CK grad said even though his girls lost to his alma mater 109-70. “A lot of the girls who swam last season got best times today.”

With plenty of new faces in the water taking part in their first-ever competitive swimming event, Henderson said some of the girls were nervous.

“There were a lot of butterflies early on. but they got through that well,” he said. “It’s nice to start against CK because it’s such a family atmosphere. Plus, like us, CK has a lot of new swimmers so that made it a close meet.”

The Cougars took first in nine events with their team leaders taking the point led by Kelsey Campbell in the 50 free and 500 free, Kristi Waterbury in the 100 and 200 free and April Swaine in the 100 fly and 100 backstroke. They also swept the relay events.

“We really looked like a team today,” said Swaine, a team captain. “Everything was awesome.”

Well, almost. Swaine admitted she would have liked to have made a state-qualifying time in the 100 fly but came up just missing the mark with a 1 minute, 3.5 seconds performance.

“Patti has been grinding us in practice the past couple of days so I wasn’t in the best of shape,” said Swaine, referring to CK coach Patti Matthew. “And I was swimming some events I don’t usually do. But getting that 100 fly time (1:02) isn’t out of reach.”

Ashley Avery was first in the 200 individual medley, Sara Goetz scored 105.95 in diving and Jessica Caulkins led the 100 breast for the Trojans.

“The novice kids did well today,” said Matthew, noting the Cougars had 16 district meet-qualifying times. “It was a nice smooth meet.”

Central Kitsap 109, at Olympic 70

200 medley relay — 1, CK (Natalie Kelner, Meagham Kennedy, April Swaine, Kelsey Campbell) 2:01.98. 200 free — 1, Kristi Waterbury (CK) 2:11.39*. 200 IM — 1, Ashley Avery (O) 2:24.55*. 50 free — 1, Campbell 27.69*. Diving — 1, Sara Goetz (O) 105.95. 100 fly — 1, Swaine 1:03.5*. 100 free — 1, Waterbury 1:00.99*. 500 free — Campbell 5:45.16. 200 free relay — 1, CK (Waterbury, Jennifer Prost, Kelner, Lacy Smith) 1:59.20. 100 back — 1, Swaine 1:06.27. 100 breast — 1, Jessica Caulkins (O) 1:23.08. 400 free relay — 1, CK (Waturbury, Campbell, Kennedy, Swaine) 4:03.55. * indicates district qualifying time.

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