The swimming tradition at Inglemoor High has been strong throughout the years, and the 2010-11 season looks to be no exception.
The Vikings, who placed third out of 16 4A teams at state last year, return a pair of experienced senior captains in Sam Billett and Michael Postetter.
Billett is a versatile athlete who can compete in any event, and is just plain fast, having swam the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events at state last year, along with contributing to the Vikings’ relay squads.
Postetter, the only other returner with state experience, swam the 50-yard freestyle sprint and will also have a chance in the breaststroke this year.
“Both are seniors and provide invaluable leadership for our team,” said head coach Monica Mayes. “We are strong. We have some newcomers that will add some real depth to our team… spaces that we may not have had before.”
A couple of those incoming freshmen include Josaiah Clark, a breaststroker who has been refining his other strokes, and Mateusz Merchel, a backstroke specialist who is also a threat on the diving board.
Senior Alex Carson, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound lineman for the Vikings’ football team, also looks to make a postseason run on the diving platform as he is returning for the “third or fourth year,” according to Mayes.
Combine those with a steady crew of all around athletes in Andy Chapman (free, diving), Casey Colella (free, individual medley, breaststroke), Kevin Luo (all events), Eric Olsson (sprint free) and Matt Yusen (all events), it’s easy to see how the perennially deep Vikings will be a threat not only in Kingco this year, but the postseason and beyond.
Mayes said that the thing that stands out the most about this group is its versatility.
“They are absolutely willing to swim anything,” she noted. “They’re excited about the year, and it’s a matter of getting them a little rested and trying to keep everybody healthy. That’s going to be the key.”
And if the old adage “Early to bed, early to rise …” happens to be true, the Vikings should have no problem staying healthy this year due to their practice time — bright and early at 5:15 a.m.
“They’ve been very willing, because they know this is what we’re doing,” said Mayes on the early wake-up call. “They are the group that last year lost St. Edwards, so they started (early practices) in January. They’ve done it for seven weeks … and we’re doing it again.”
The Vikings will be breaking for the holidays, with their next meet coming up against Bothell High at 3 p.m. Jan. 4 at Juanita Pool.
BOTHELL, AT A GLANCE:
• Coach: Tom Linde, 19th season
• 2010-11 turnout: 15
Top returners
• Senior Stephen Ungerecht: Breastsroke and backstroke specialist looks to do well at districts and make state in one or both events.
• Senior Michael Collier: Solid freestyler will be a key part of the Cougars’ relay teams.
Key newcomers
• Freshman Matt Williamson: Swims club at West Coast Aquatics, extremely fast freestyler who has already posted a state-qualifying time in the 500 free. Very versatile, can compete in any event.
• Sophomore Cody Sodawasser: Team’s only diver will look to improve as season progresses and hopefully peak in the postseason.
Key meet
• Jan. 4 versus Inglemoor: This all-Northshore battle will be a tough matchup against the powerhouse Vikings, but it will give the Cougars a good indication of what it will take to be competitive as the postseason nears.
Coach’s corner
“We always like to make it to state and be represented there. Other than that, we try to retain the swimmers that we have, and try to improve individually over the course of the season.” — Coach Linde
