Federal Way Eagles
Coach: Carla Boone
Last year’s record: 0-7 (eighth in SPSL North)
Strong returners: Sr. Nathan Jowett; Jr. Reid Collins; Sr. Seth Powell; Soph. Trace Goddin.
Top newcomer: Spencer Berry
General prediction for the year: Improve win/loss record from last season.
Team strengths: None listed
Team weakness: New team
What will make this team successful?: “Our team is pretty young with over half our team new to this sport,” Boone said. “All returners are going to have to hold up the team and swim all events, not just their best ones.”
Beamer Titans
Coach: Sue Bergman (fifth year)
Last year’s record: 3-2 (third in SPSL)
Strong returners: Sr. Bart Wanot (backstroke); Jr. Dylan Chase (backstroke); Sr. Blake Jordan (freestyle); Sr. Cole Um (breaststroke); Sr. Costner McKenzie (butterfly).
Top newcomers: None listed.
General prediction for the year: “Many talented swimmers who work hard and are dedicated to performing their best,” Bergman said.
Team strengths: Diversity of talents and dedication to working hard.
Team weaknesses: “I am still getting to know the athletes and the snowy week didn’t help,” Bergman said.
What will make this team successful?: “This will be a good year for the Titans if all the athletes keep their focus and work hard to exceed their personal best performances,” said Bergman.
Decatur Gators
Coach: Rob Hill (fourth year)
Last year’s record: 0-5 (eighth in SPSL South)
Strong returners: Sr. Tanner Brotheron; Sr. Noah Johnson; Sr. Chris Garnets; Soph. Jeremias Cardoba; Soph. Jacob Jones (diving); Alex Prokopchik.
Top newcomers: Sam Reed; Jason Kim; Sergey Stefoglo.
General prediction for the year?: “New league, will have better chances of winning dual meets. Prediction of five wins, second in league’s, second at districts,” Hill said.
Team strengths: Good depth with 28 swimmers and a variety of skills in all strokes. Also feature several divers.
Team weaknesses: “Some swimmers that have not competed on a swim team and are developing their ability,” Hill said. “School closures due to weather will take away valuable training time.”
What will make this team successful?: “Being in a new league and division will help since time standards are lowered for 3A than 4A,” Hill said. “The amount of effort my swimmers put in during practice will show during meets. You put nothing in you get nothing out. Strong technique will always win over number of swimmers.”
Jefferson Raiders
Coach: Wendy Neely
Last year’s record: 1-6 (sixth in SPSL North)
Strong returner: Sr. Jordan Gaspay
Top newcomers: Fr. Michael Dizon; Fr. Ean VanBramer.
General prediction for the year?: “Optimistic,” Neely said. “Three-quarters of our boys are literally new to swimming.”
Team strengths: “Do not know yet,” Neely said.
Team weaknesses: None listed
