SHS Boys Swim Winter Preview: Wolves look for big results from small numbers

By Matthew Nash • November 30, 2016 1:30 am
This year’s Sequim High School boys swim team features, from back left, Jax Thaxton, Alex Barikoff; middle left, Ian Miller, Liam Payne, Sam Frymer; front left, Christian Goodrich, Michael Larsen, James Thayer; not pictured Tanner Minnihan and Ngiah “Steve” Nguyen. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
This year’s Sequim High School boys swim team features, from back left, Jax Thaxton, Alex Barikoff; middle left, Ian Miller, Liam Payne, Sam Frymer; front left, Christian Goodrich, Michael Larsen, James Thayer; not pictured Tanner Minnihan and Ngiah “Steve” Nguyen. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Winter Sports Preview: Sequim High Boys Swimming

Head coach: Linda Moats (16th year)

2015-2016 record: 0-6 in Olympic League

Returners: Christian Goodrich, Alex Barikoff, Liam Payne

Newcomers: Sam Frymer, Michael Larsen, Ian Miller, Tanner Minnihan, Jax Thaxton, James Thayer, Ngiah “Steve” Nguyen

The Wolves’ boys swim team is back in Sequim waters after practicing and competing last season in Port Angeles’ William Shore Memorial Pool.

Sequim opens its season at the YMCA of Sequim on Thursday, Dec. 8, against Klahowya more than a year after seeing their home pool the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center close in 2015 and reopen in October of this year under the YMCA.

Coach Linda Moats said they’re happy to be home but it looks to be another development year for the small squad. Only three swimmers return for the 10-boy team including senior Christian Goodrich, a four-year swimmer and now team captain. He looks to perform well in the freestyle and backstroke and make a return trip to districts. Goodrich was part of the 200-free relay team who qualified for districts two years ago.

“It’d be nice to qualify in an individual event too,” he said.

Fellow returning swimmer Liam Payne said he thinks their relay can make districts.

Moats said Payne is a strong leader who inspires the rest of the team and she expects to see him be strong in the breaststroke through the season.

She said Sequim’s third returning swimmer Alex Berikoff is another standout specializing in freestyle events.

Sequim won’t have a dive team this year and their lone district and state diver last season Mathew Richards didn’t return.

This year’s team just made the cutoff to remain active with 10 participants, like last season.

“It’ll be another season of technique and progress with multiple seniors,” Moats said.

In dual meets, the Wolves went 0-6, but she said that’s due to their numbers. Moats expect a similar season because they don’t have enough swimmers to fill every event.

Several boys plan to use swimming as conditioning for a spring sport, like Goodrich for soccer.

“It keeps me fit and builds my leg strength,” he said.

Moats said nationwide interest for boys with swimming is declining despite the success of popular swimmer Michael Phelps. She said one disadvantage the high school squad has is no feeder program for younger competitive teams.

However, Moats is hopeful with newcomers like Jax Thaxton, Michael Larsen, James Thayer and Tanner Minnihan who all have a lot of potential, she said.

“Our main goal is to build up the participants on the team and get everyone swimming with good technique,” she said.

Sequim hosts home meets on Jan. 5 against Olympic, Jan. 19 against Kingston, and Jan. 26 against North Kitsap along with the opening Dec. 8 match versus Klahowya.