BREMERTON — The Port Angeles girls swim team opened its season with a splash Wednesday, attending the first Olympic League girls swim jamboree with other league teams.
Roughriders coach Sally Cole said the jamboree served as an icebreaker, giving swimmers a chance to shake off preseason jitters and familiarize themselves with the competition ahead.
For new swimmers, it was an introduction to meet-day atmosphere, while for seasoned swimmers, it was a chance to loosen up the nerves.
Cole said the highlight for Port Angeles was the dominant performance by the 200-yard freestyle relay team of Lizzy Shaw, Danika Asgeirsson, Amayah Nelson and Brooke St. Luise.
This powerhouse group, all returning state swimmers, won their event with a time just 1.6 seconds off the state-qualifying mark.
“A remarkable feat this early in the season, it hints at big things ahead for the Riders,” Cole said.
Port Angeles had two other 200 free relay teams finish strong as Sally Kasten, Lynzee Reid, Damun Seera and Mia Francis were third and the squad of Shavari Epps, Lucy Townsend, Bella Sains and Chloe Kay-Sanders ended up fifth.
In individual events, the Roughriders showcased their depth. In the 50 backstroke, Danika Asgeirsson finished second, with teammate Lynzee Reid in fifth.
Shaw and St. Luise continued strong swims, taking fourth and fifth in the 50 breaststroke, respectively. Sally Kasten placed fifth out of 53 swimmers in the 50 freestyle, and Amayah Nelson was fifth in the 50 butterfly.
Port Angeles also saw promising results from its freshman swimmers. Mia Francis came in ninth in the 50 breaststroke, and Lucy Townsend finished ninth in the 50 backstroke, signaling a bright future for Rider swimming.
