PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles swim and dive team kept up its winning ways, taking first in every event to defeat East Jefferson 133-42. The meet marked the halfway point of the season, and Roughriders head coach Sally Cole said she likes what she is seeing.
“This team is putting in the work and performing at a high level week in and week out,” Cole said.
Through the first four meets, Port Angeles has racked up 19 district-qualifying times by eight athletes.
Amayah Nelson and Lizzy Shaw lead the way with four events each. Nelson has qualified in the 100-yard backstroke, 100 butterfly, 200 free relay and 500 free, while Shaw has made the cut in the 50, 100, 200 and 500 free.
Cole said the Roughriders also boast a deep bench of breaststrokers, with Ellie Karjalainen, Mia Francis and Anaya Tejeda all qualifying.
Francis added her 500 free time last week, while Tejeda has times in the 100 fly and 200 individual medley. Joining her in the individual medley are Chloe Kay-Sanders, who also qualified in the 100 fly, and Lynzee Reid, who added the individual medley to her 100 freestyle qualification.
The fourth Rider in the 500 free is sophomore Lucy Townsend, but Cole believes more qualifiers are coming.
“As we head into the final stretch of the season, I expect to see more swimmers qualify for districts,” Cole said. “Lilly Mahaney has been closing in on the 500 free cut — she’s only about 10 seconds away. The way she’s been training, I think it’s only a matter of time before she gets there.”
Meet highlights
The 200 medley relay team of Reid, Karjalainen, Nelson and Shaw opened the meet with a dominant win, touching 28 seconds ahead of East Jefferson. In the 200 free, Francis claimed first in 2:25.69, a 13-second personal best, while Townsend took second in 2:31.39 in her debut in the event.
Port Angeles swept the 200 individual medley in what Cole described as one of the best races of the day.
Reid edged Kay-Sanders in a back-and-forth battle, finishing in 2:41.60 to Kay-Sanders’ 2:41.85. Reid led early, but Kay-Sanders pulled ahead after a strong breaststroke leg before Reid ran her down in the final 50 free, winning by just 0.16 seconds. Shaw completed the sweep in third at 2:49.46.
The Riders kept rolling through the middle of the meet. Nelson sprinted to first in the 50 free, and Reid earned the diving title with 188.45 points, highlighted by a sharp reverse one somersault.
Port Angeles added another sweep in the 100 fly, with Kay-Sanders, Nelson and Francis. Shaw then powered to a win in the 100 free with a 1:05.01, finishing three seconds clear of East Jefferson. In the distance events, freshmen Tejeda and Ana Kay-Sanders took first and second in the 50 free.
Relay dominance sealed the meet, Cole said.
Shaw, Francis, Nelson and Reid won the 200 free relay by 14 seconds, while Townsend, Francis, Karjalainen and Tejeda capped the day with a victory in the 400 free relay.
In between, the Riders swept the 100 backstroke, as Karjalainen touched first in a five-second personal record (1:17.35), followed by Townsend and Jessique Rodriguez. Tejeda closed the individual events with a win in the 100 breaststroke.
“From sprints to distance, and relays to diving, Port Angeles once again showcased its depth,” Cole said. “With sweeps, personal bests and first-time swims, the Riders remain on track for another strong push into the second half of the season.”
Port Angeles will swim against Kingston at Poulsbo on Wednesday.
________
Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at sports@peninsuladaily news.com.
Port Angeles Swim & Dive Midway through the fall girls swim and dive season, eight Port Angeles Roughriders have achieved district-qualifying times in their various events and relays. Back row, from left, are Amayah Nelson, Lucy Townsend, Ellie Karjalainen and Anaya Tejeda. Bottom row, from left, are Mia Francis, Lynzee Reid, Lizzy Shaw and Chloe Kay-Sanders.
