PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles opened the boys swimming season with a strong performance — winning all 11 events in a 125-35 stomping of Bremerton in an Olympic League meet held Wednesday at Shore Aquatic Center.
“It was an impressive display of skill and teamwork,” coach Sally Cole said.
The 200-yard medley relay set the tone for the Riders’ dominance, with the team of Jensen Wolfe, Edward Gillespie, Eli Warren and Killian Waknitz touching the wall in first place.
“Freshman standout Thomas Jones made waves in the 200 free, showcasing his talent with a decisive win, finishing an astounding 30 seconds ahead of his competitors,” Cole said. “Jones not only swam a personal best but also earned a spot in the upcoming district championships.”
In the 200 individual medley, co-captains Colby Ellefson and Finn Thompson each nabbed district-qualifying times with Ellefson in first, Thompson nabbing a close second and Bremerton’s entrant coming in seven seconds behind.
Cole said Port Angeles was dominant in the 50 freestyle, sweeping the podium with Nolan Medgin taking first, Jack Root second and freshman Cliff Hales finishing third. Hales outpaced his nearest Knight opponent by a significant 6 seconds, while Medgin set a personal record and qualified for the district championships.
Jones continued to shine in the 100 butterfly, claiming another first-place finish and attaining another spot at the district meet with a time of 1:03.81.
Cole said Ellefson dominated the 500 free, finishing a momentous two minutes ahead of the competition and signaling his intent to crush his state time this season. Ellefson also joined Thompson, Medgin and Jones for a win in the 200 free relay by 10 seconds.
PA showcased its depth and skill once more in the 100 backstroke, sweeping the podium with Thompson first, Warren in second and Wolfe in third. Thompson secured a district qualification with a comfortable 6-second lead.
The Roughriders concluded the meet with another commanding performance in the 100 breaststroke, with Medgin claiming first, Gillespie second and Waknitz third. Medgin achieved a personal best, lowering his time by over 7 seconds and earning a spot in the district meet.
The meet’s grand finale came in the form of the 400 free relay, where Jones, Ellefson, Thompson and Medgin sealed the victory by a commanding 17-second margin, capping off an outstanding opening meet for the Roughriders.
Port Angeles hosts Klahowya on Wednesday.
Hitting clinic set
PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles High School and Wilder Baseball Club alumnus Landon Seibel will offer a two-day hitting clinic for boys ages 13-15 on Dec. 15-16.
The clinic will be held at the Peninsula Baseball and Softball Barn, 260 Easy St., from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day.
Seibel, a current player at Skagit Valley College, will provide instruction on hitting fundamentals, proper form and technique.
Olympic Junior Babe Ruth’s Carey Pavlak will assist Seibel at the clinic.
The cost is $100 and registration is available at pbsbarn.square.site.
Players should bring water, athletic shoes (no cleats allowed) and batting gloves. A helmet and bat are optional.
Calendar
Today
Boys Basketball: Sequim at Bainbridge, 8 p.m.; Forks at South Bend, 7 p.m.; Port Angeles at Bremerton, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Sequim at Bainbridge, 6:30 p.m.
Men’s Basketball: Peninsula vs. South Puget Sound at Edmonds Triton Classic, 5 p.m.
Saturday
Boys Basketball: Elma at Forks, 2:30 p.m.; East Jefferson at Tenino, 4:30 p.m.; Vashon at Sequim, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: East Jefferson at Crescent, 10 a.m.; East Jefferson vs. Concrete at Crescent High School, 1:30 p.m.; Central Kitsap at Port Angeles, 4:30 p.m.
Wrestling: East Jefferson, Sequim at Rivals Invitational, Port Townsend, 10 a.m.; Forks at Granger Tournament, 9:30 a.m.; Port Angeles at Larry Brown Tournament, Fife, 9 a.m.
Men’s Basketball: Peninsula vs. Pierce at Edmonds Triton Classic, 2 p.m.
