Kaleb Needoba and Jax Thaxton won individual events and five Sequim swimmers set personal bests, but the Wolves dropped their first home meet of the season and second in as many weeks on the young campaign, a 98-70 loss to Bremerton on Dec. 14.

Needoba topped the field in the 500 free with a 6:39.76 finish, while Thaxton picked up a win in the 100 backstroke, clocking in at 1:05.86.

Thaxton added a second-place finish in the 50 free (26.08), second only to Bremerton phenom Nathan Rubie. The Knight topped Sequim’s all-time 50 free pool record held by Taylor Bonneau (23.67, in 2011) and, perhaps most impressively did it using the butterfly stroke. Rubie added another pool record in the 100 butterfly (52.77), topping RC Harasick’s 2006 record by more than four seconds.

Sequim’s Sean Weber placed second in the 200 free (2:38.72) while Alex Berikoff was second in the 100 free (58.89, a personal best) and William Payne was runner-up in the 100 breaststroke (1:18.32, a personal best).

The Wolves’ 400 free relay team took second and set a personal best for the young season, with Berikoff, Needoba, Thaxton and Morgan Bingham finishing in 4:22.38.

Bingham and Blake Boardman were named Sequim’s swimmers of the week.

“We had a great meet where we learned even more about our swimmers,” Sequim coach Anita Benitez said.

Looking ahead

Sequim (0-2) gets a three-week respite in the schedule for winter break. The Wolves are back in action Jan. 4 at Olympic before hosting rival Port Angeles on Jan. 11.

Sequim William Payne swims the 100 breaststroke in an Olympic League meet against Bremerton on Dec. 14. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Sequim’s Anthony Cortani churns through the water as he competes in the 200 free event on Dec. 14 against Bremerton. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Sequim’s Jax Thaxton competes in the 100 backstroke on Dec. 14. versus Bermerton. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell