M-P boasts hard-working girls swim team

With only one senior graduating from their state roster in 2007, the aquatic Tomahawks have every reason to be faster, stronger and better than last year’s team and their more-than-satisfactory season.

By Danielle Szulczewski • September 2, 2008 5:19 pm
Sophomore Jewel LeValley hopes to build on a strong surge she enjoyed at the end of last season.
Sophomore Jewel LeValley hopes to build on a strong surge she enjoyed at the end of last season.

With only one senior graduating from their state roster in 2007, the aquatic Tomahawks have every reason to be faster, stronger and better than last year’s team and their more-than-satisfactory season.

Perhaps most notably, M-P returns two team members whose names are already on the school record board. Junior Sarah Clark returns from a sophomore diving season in which she took first place at each of the team’s dual meets and placed fifth overall in the state competition. During the same season, she broke the school’s diving score over six dives.

This season she’ll get a chance to defend her undefeated league streak and go for the 11-dive mark still held by M-P alum Brittany Berg.

Also back is senior Kami Girard, who set school records in the 500 freestyle and 100 backstroke in previous seasons. She competed on the school’s two state-qualifying relays at the state meet and as an individual in the backstroke.

After getting a taste of state on relay teams, year-round swimmers Melinda Blomberg, Megan Shoemaker and Jewel LeValley are back and hoping to qualify as individuals this year. Blomberg and LeValley favor the 500 freestyle.

Also back from state is senior diver Liz Kuljis, who qualified out of districts on a wild card and placed 13th.

Coach Jaci Legore Hodgins added that she’s seeing a lot of strength and speed on her team, particularly from her swimmers who trained on the Marysville Marlins team.

Based on their performances with the Marlins, Legore Hodgins said juniors Leah Gordon and Raechel Nall and sophomores Melody Travis, Amanda Collins and Sarah Husted should show improvement over the 2007 season in which all five qualified for districts.

“The most exciting element we have going on with year’s team is that a great deal of them have been swimming with the Mighty Marlin swim team, our local team that trains at the M-PHS pool,” Legore Hodgins said. “The Mighty Marlins had a stellar season and have many up-and-coming swimmers who are making their mark at the zone and national levels. They are in shape and ready to go.”

After hosting a Sept. 9 jamboree, M-P will face Meadowdale in their first dual meet of the season Sept. 18 at home.