Sequim Gazette staff
Renton will see plenty of Wolves in its pool this weekend.
Sequim sends its biggest team of swimmers in seven years to districts this weekend.
Three relay teams and four individual swimmers swim and dive for state on Nov. 8-9 at Hazen High School Pool for the 2013 Girls’ WCD III 2-A Swimming and Diving Championships.
Cassi Calderon, Dani Barrow, Jessica Craig and Kayley Lofstrom qualified this season for the 200 yard medley relay, 200 yard freestyle and 400 yard freestyle relay.
Barrow, who has qualified three years in a row, will swim in four of the nine events she qualified due to competition rules.
She’ll swim the 200 IM, 100 free, 200 medley and 200 free.
Calderon has qualified all four years and will compete in the 100 backstroke after taking first at the Last Chance Meet in Port Angeles on Oct. 29.
She’s been close to the time in breaststroke for several weeks before qualifying at 1:15.30.
Craig earned a wildcard spot in the 100 breaststroke because her time was close enough to the district’s standards.
To prepare, head coach Anita Benitez said the relay teams are doing a lot of distance swims and sprints leading up to districts.
“They need to keep up their times,” she said. “It’s all about persistence and the want to do it. Part of it is when you get there and the excitement, too.”
One swimmer who knows about extended swimming seasons is Emily Van Dyken, who was Sequim’s lone representative at the 2A state meet last year. She returns to districts after qualifying at the Last Chance meet with a score of 243.25.
The Wolves also send seven alternates for the three relay teams — Anika Van Dyken, Kailee Price, Kendra Richardson, Jaycee Thompson, Addie Enges, Megan O’Mera and Stephanie Grow.
Benitez said she hopes all of the girls enjoy the experience.
“Those I’m taking as alternates, I hope get they want to be there next year,” she said. “They need to have that buy-in.”
Looking back at the season, the Wolves only won one meet, but Benitez said the Wolves continue to improve, especially with a large number of underclassmen.
“It’s been a great season,” she said. “I anticipate seeing even more go to districts next year.
