Fitzgerald is No. 1, twice

TACOMA — Winning twice felt very nice for Olympic’s Kelly Fitzgerald, who claimed the 4A West Central District 3 titles in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 breaststroke.

The wins also helped propel the Trojans to seventh in the team standings at the weekend meet, held at Foss High School, finishing ahead of several teams that beat them in head-to-head dual meets over the course of the season.

“She had a great meet,” Olympic coach Paul Henderson said of Fitzgerald. “She had so-so swims on Friday, came back Saturday and just swam great.”

That was evident in Fitzgerald’s times, recording a 2-minute, 12.75-second time in the IM and a 1:08.69 in the breast. Both were new school records.

“She just looked great in the water,” Henderson said. “Everything came together for her really well.”

While Henderson said he’s awaiting official word, it appears Heather Nelson will be joining Fitzgerald at the 4A state competition, as Nelson’s time of 1:02.38 in the 100 fly was just .38 seconds shy of an automatic entry. But Henderson said she should be allocated a spot, as her time appears to be safely in the top seven from multiple districts that are lumped together for allocation purposes.

“I’m pretty sure she’s allocated,” Henderson said. “They haven’t called me yet, but I’m 99-percent sure she’s going.”

Henderson said both girls deserve the trip. With Fitzgerald already in, he said it will be nice for her to have some familiar company.

“It’ll be nice,” Henderson said. “Heather really works hard. Her times just keep dropping and dropping. It’ll be good for her to be there and get that experience.”

Nelson took ninth in the 200 IM, finishing in 2:23.06. Olympic’s 200 medley relay finished fifth, the 200 free relay was 10th and the 400 free relay took seventh.

Central Kitsap had already qualified its 200 medley relay, which finished 10th at the district meet.

Possibly joining the relay through the allocation process are Kim Smith, who was just .32 seconds away from qualifying in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:03.82 good for fourth, and Meghann Kennedy, who finished third in the 100 breast with a time of 1:15.87.

The 4A state swim meet will take place on Friday, Nov. 11 and Saturday Nov. 12 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. All other classes will also compete at the center that day.

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