Like her predecessor, Anita Benitez is about to pull double duty.

The Sequim High Spanish teacher will begin coaching the school’s boys’ swim team this winter following her seventh season as the girls’ swim team coach in the fall.

Benitez follows long-time boys’ coach Linda Moats who retired earlier this year after 17 seasons. Moats was the program’s only coach since it started in 2000 and she also helped start the girls’ program in 1998, which she coached through 2009.

Benitez said she wasn’t sure if she’d pursue coaching the boys, too.

“When you put your heart and soul into the girls’ season, you feel exhausted,” she said.

“But with the boys, I wanted to help boost the program.”

Benitez has helped improve the girls program since starting in 2011 with a 0-7 record and no swimmers going to state. Last season the girls went 4-3 in meets, their first winning record since 2008, and saw girls compete in five different events at state.

At least one swimmer and/or diver has gone to state with Benitez as coach since 2012.

The boys’ best season record was 2001-2002 when they finished 7-4 and took eighth place at districts.

Small turnouts was one of the biggest struggles for the boys but they did record four seasons at or over a .500 average and Moats and company took an athlete to a state meet each season since 2000.

Benitez’s plan is to approach the boys’ team similarly to the girls when she started with only eight swimmers.

“We’ll run an inclusive, fun program,” she said.

“I’ve been recruiting boys and talking more about readying for other sports in a sport that’s ultimately injury free, too. It strengthens muscles you don’t normally use.”

But she’s going to be flexible because coaching boys and girls can be different, she said.

“We’ll have to find a whole new groove,” Benitez said.

Benitez said the girls program will see upwards of 30 girls compete in the fall and she’s seen a transition with several girls becoming more competitive in recent years.

For the boys, she’ll turn to leadership from experienced swimmers Alex Berikoff and Liam Payne as captains who were part of the 400 freestyle team that made state last year after a strong districts’ effort. Unfortunately, the team was disqualified for an inadequate turn.

Sequim diver Mathew Craig finished fourth in the 2A state diving tournament last year but due to the Sequim YMCA not having a diving board, he and any other future divers will need to compete and practice in Port Angeles.

Benitez said a diving board at the Sequim pool is tentative and still under discussion.

The Sequim High School Girls Swim Team Booster Club also is continuing to fundraise for an aquatic timing system at the Sequim YMCA.

For more information on the fundraiser, visit www.gofundme.com/swim-team-timing-system-equipment.

To directly donate to the effort, contact Michelle Govertsen at mbgov@aol.com or Tracy Swanson at tracy@johnwayneswaterfront resort.com.

Donations also can be sent to: Sequim HS Swim Team Booster Club, P.O. Box 568, Carlsborg, WA 98324.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

Anita Benitez plans to coach Sequim High’s swim teams next season with the girls competing in the fall and the boys in the winter. This will be her seventh season with the girls and she follows Linda Moats as boys coach. Moats helped start the girls program in 1998 and the boys in 2000. “We’re hoping to break some records,” Benitez said of her swimmers. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash