By force of numbers alone Marysville-Pilchuck High School has a strong swim team.
At Tuesday’s meet the undefeated Oak Harbor Wildcats hung with the Tomahawks in the home meet at John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool right until the final events, only to come up on the short end of a 112-80 score.
The Wildcats got off to a tremendous start winning three of the first four events before the break for diving competition, but then the second and third-place finishes began as the team’s stamina waned.
“Actually we were doing so well I had my expectations higher than they should have been,” coach Erika Miller said.
After the 200-meter medley relay team finished second to open the meet, Rachel Weinstein scored the first of three first-place finishes for the Wildcats in the 200 freestyle in 2:20.54.
The race was a tight one, but the freshman kept pace and pulled ahead in the final 25 meters.
“I tried to stay right on her and take her out at the finish,” Weinstein said. “I was happy with my time and I thought I swam a pretty good race.”
Weinstein also won the 100 breaststroke in 1:26.47, and teamed with Kim Klieman, KeriAnne Wright and Carolyn Vasquez to win the 200 freestyle relay.
Wright won the 200 individual medley with teammate Tori Nickerson finishing second, and Vasquez was first in the 50 freestyle with Klieman placing second.
Wright held what appeared to be a comfortable lead through the first two legs of the individual medley, but had to hang on after the 50-meter breaststroke portion of the event.
“The breaststroke is definitely not my stroke, but it felt pretty good to win the race,” she said.
Wright also swam to a second-place finish in the 100 butterfly.
Vaszuez said she was happy to win the 50 freestyle, but was not content with her time of 30.19.
“I got first, but it’s still not a state time. I’m going to do better,” she said.
Vasquez also placed second in the 100 freestyle and teamed with Wright, Nickerson and Weinstein for a second-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay.
Klieman said her turn was better than it had been the last time she swam the 50 freestyle.
“I thought I did okay and I did a lot better on my turn,” she said. “I think that’s what got me second place. I’m pretty happy how I did.”
Lily Doyle also earned a second-place finish for Oak Harbor in the 100 backstroke in 1:18.03.
“The girls had fun at this meet and did a fine job,” Miller said. “Even though we lost the meet they had a good time and said they did their best. That’s all that counts.”
