McIntyre sets state record

As if breaking the state’s oldest swim record on Friday wasn’t enough, Oak Harbor’s Missy McIntyre decided to do one better Saturday.

McIntyre, who impressively broke a 22-year-old state record in the prelims of the 100-meter breaststroke of Friday’s class 4A swimming and diving championships, shattered her own record in Saturday’s final heat.

Her All-American time of 1 minute, 2.39 seconds was over fourth-tenths of a second faster than Friday’s record-setting time (1:02.82) and gave her a third straight state title in the event.

“Breaking the record period was a dream come true,” McIntyre said. “To do it again in the finals was even more of an accomplishment because I beat myself.”

Kathy Smith of Lake Washington had held the previous best of 1:02.96 since 1981.

Most impressive about McIntyre’s performance is that she set her new 100 breaststroke record after putting forth 100-percent of her effort in the final heat of the 50-meter freestyle and the final leg of the 200-meter freestyle relay team. Making it that much more difficult she only had roughly 20 minutes between races.

“She seemed a little bit off after her 50-free,” head coach Emilie Sullivan said. “She was a little more quiet than she normally is.”

That quiet may have just meant more focus for McIntyre, who finished nearly two seconds ahead of second place finisher Jesika Heidloff of Rogers.

McIntyre also took her second straight state title in the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.36, which was good enough for a U.S.A. National Swim qualifying time. After reaching the state mark in the 100 breaststroke this year, the 50-free record is atop her list of goals for next season.

“The 50-free would be great to beat,” McIntyre said.

The 200 freestyle relay team of sophomore Marissa McDaniel, junior Sami Buel, freshman Julia Marriott and McIntyre also turned some heads at last weekend’s championships. Coming as the 16th seeded team, the four girls swam the seventh fastest time in the prelims (1:45.94), which was good enough to get them into the finals.

“To move up nine places was just amazing,” Sullivan said.

Out of eight teams in the finals, McDaniel, Buel, Marriott and McIntyre finished seventh with a 1:45.96.

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