Sequim saw improvements for first-time swims in more than a half-dozen events in their first meet back from winter break (and second meet of the season), falling to Klahowya 99-52 on Jan. 4.

“Most of our swimmers performed well, especially considering it was the second day back from winter break,” Sequim coach Linda Moats said.

Liam Payne posted Sequim’s lone win in the makeup meet scheduled after a Dec. 8 date was postponed. Payne dropped a second off his previous best in the 100 breaststroke, clocking in at 1:20.

Payne also shed four seconds off his 200 individual medley time (2:43) for second place.

Jax Thaxton swam two events brand new to him against the Eagles. He swam a district qualifying time in the 200 freestyle by about five seconds with his 2:18 mark, which was good for second place. Thaxton also swam the 500 in 6:42 for second place.

“He started off quickly, but was unable to hold that speed through the 500,” Moats said. “He will improve as we build endurance through the season.”

Steve Nguyen posted a pair of personal bests, dropping six seconds in the 500 free (36.36) and a 10-second improvement in the 100 free (1:33).

James Thayer topped his best 100 free time as well, finishing in 1:31.

Sam Frymer swam the 100 backstroke for the first time and Mike Larsen trimmed his personal best in the 100 breaststroke.

Trojans top Wolves

In a rare meet on back-to-back days, Sequim (0-3) hosted the Olympic Trojans on Jan. 5 and set four personal bests along with Wolves swimming six first-time events in a 114-40 loss.

Thayer dropped 15 seconds off his best 200 free time to 3:31 while Alex Berikoff dropped eight seconds off his best 100 free time to 1:01 and his 100 backstroke time to 1:20.

Christian Goodrich “totally surprised himself,” Moats said, with a second-place mark of 7:09.88, about one second behind Trojan Gavin Hemming.

Payne swan the 100 butterfly for the first time and clocked in at 1:19.

Other Wolves swimming first-time events were Thayer in the 100 breaststroke, Thaxton in the 200 IM, Ian Miller in the 100 free and Nguyen in the 200 and 500 free.

Looking ahead

Sequim is in action twice next week, once for a regular Olympic League meet in at Port Angeles on Jan. 12 and at the Swimvitational at Olympic High School (Silverdale) on Jan. 14.

The Wolves have two more regular season meets — Jan. 19 versus Kingston and Jan. 26 versus North Kitsap, both at home — before the postseason begins.