Girls Swimming season preview: Wolves start season faster than in 2015

Array

By Matthew Nash • September 14, 2016 2:30 am
Elise Schmierer and Alisa Garrett swim together on what head coach Anita Benitez says is Social Kick on Fridays where girls swim together and talk at the end of practice. “One of the strengths we bring is camaraderie
Elise Schmierer and Alisa Garrett swim together on what head coach Anita Benitez says is Social Kick on Fridays where girls swim together and talk at the end of practice. “One of the strengths we bring is camaraderie

SHS girls swim 2015 season preview

Coaches: Anita Benitez (sixth season) Assistants: Mark Pincikowski (sixth season), Sarah Moores (first season); Jake Armstrong (manager)

2015 record: 3-4; one individuals to state 2A meet

Returners: Carmen Wilwert (sr.), Stephanie Grow (sr.), Jaycee Thompson-Porrazzo (sr.), Annie Armstrong (jr.), Molly Braaten (sr.), Angela Carillo Burge (jr.), Sydnee Linnane (jr.), Aubree Young (jr.), Joie Darminio (so.), Heidi Schmitt (so.), Kaitlyn Davis (jr.), Jasmine Itti (so.), Madeline Patterson (so.), Sydney Swanson (so.).

Newcomers: Meguire Vander Velde, (fr.), Isa Benitez (fr.), Kylie Graham (sr.), Regen Demetz (fr.), Elise Schmierer (fr.), Bailey Cauffman (fr.), Alyssa Garrett (fr.), Eva Lofstrom (fr.), Anna Miche (fr.), Sonja Govertson (fr.), Valentina Semao (so.), Amanda Murphy (fr.)

Sequim’s girls swim team is off to a fast start.

Head coach Anita Benitez said several girls’ efforts over the summer are translating to this likely being her fastest team ever to start a season.

“They are already beating their PR’s (personal records) from last season,” she said.

“Every year is different but this year we had quite a few girls come back and they’re coming in faster.”

Captains Jaycee Thompson-Porrazzo and Stephanie Grow, both seniors, led a contingent of girls in training and a few more swam competitively, Benitez said.

Looking at her roster, Benitez counts at least 17 really strong swimmers on the squad and she guesses more than 10 will qualify for the West Central District meet.

She said only a few of the freshmen are new to competitive swimming, too.

One of Sequim’s top returners includes junior Sydnee Linnane who was the Wolves’ only competitor at state in 2015, placing 18th in the 100-yard backstroke.

Two West Central District competitors, Victoria Fitzpatrick and Jessica Craig, graduated last spring and were key components of different relay teams, but several squad mates return with district’s experience, too.

Grow and Linnane swam legs for the 200-medley team and Thompson-Porrazzo swam on the 400 free relay with Annie Armstrong and Joie Darminio. Both Darminio and Thompson-Porrazzo’s personal bests last year earned them wildcard spots to compete in the 100 breaststroke and 100 backstroke.

Another relay team with Grow, Thompson-Porrazzo and Madeline Patterson qualified for districts but were disqualified at the event.

While Sequim’s squad has some postseason experience, Benitez anticipates competition being higher and races faster this season.

“This year is going to be a fast districts and state,” she said. “They (officials) decreased most of the qualifying times because girls are getting faster.”

But helping the girls get to the next level is long-time assistant Mark Pincikowski and Sequim 2008 grad Sarah Moores, a former state level swimming competitor.

There won’t be a dive team for a second year but Sequim YMCA officials continue to seek a new diving board due to safety issues with the previous board.

Before the season started, Benitez said she recruited help from Britt Moss with Fyzical Therapy and Balance Center of Sequim who helped the team develop a warm-up routine to help the girls prevent injuries.

The girls travel to Kingston on Thursday, Sept. 15, for their first meet of the season and host Port Angeles on Oct. 13, at the Sequim YMCA for their first home meet.

The SHS Girls Swim Booster Club is preselling tickets for an upcoming car wash and Krispy Kreme donut sale with a date and place to be announced. The team seeks funds for swim parkas, swim caps, fins/goggles, the District meet, and other items. To donate, contact Benitez at 582-3600 or Lora Armstrong at 461-9439 or mail to “SHS Girls Swim Booster Club at P.O. Box 568, Carlsborg, WA 98324.”