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Sanders, Hockinson win titles

By Paul Valencia, Columbian High School Sports Reporter
Published: November 16, 2009, 12:00am

Championships are first for school’s swim program

FEDERAL WAY — It did not take long for the Hockinson Hawks to win their first state girls swimming championship in school history. By the end of Saturday, the Hawks had four titles.

Julia Sanders won two individual events, and the Hawks took home state titles in two relays at the Class 2A girls swimming championships at the King County Aquatic Center.

The Hawks ended up third in the team standings, another best in program history.

Sanders, a freshman, was never threatened in her nearly six-second victory in the 200-yard individual medley, touching the wall with a meet-record time of 2 minutes, 11.38 seconds. Later, she set another meet record, clocking in at 56.88 in the 100 butterfly. a little more than four seconds ahead of the pack.

For her efforts, she was named the co-swimmer of the meet. She preferred talking about the team, though.

“Winning the relays was a big deal,” she said. “I love high school swimming because it’s more of a team sport (than club). I really enjoy the relays, working as a team.”

The Hawks won the first event Saturday morning — the 200 medley relay — but only after a couple of minutes. Darien Hiller touched the wall just a split second after the Aberdeen anchor. Moments later, it was announced Aberdeen had been disqualified, giving Hockinson the title.

“I was really upset. I wanted to cry,” Hiller said of that initial feeling.

Then the officials made the call. And while they were not able to celebrate immediately after the race, the Hawks figured they still had earned the victory.

“It makes me wonder if we would have won if they had done their starts on time,” Sanders said.

“We were still happy about it,” added Hiller.

Kyra Oja, the lone senior on the relay team, did not hold back her emotions.

“It feels like we accomplished something that we worked really hard for,” she said through tears. “I feel like we deserved it.”

Later, Hiller, Sanders, Oja and Bailee Christenson were able to celebrate together, poolside, after winning the 200 freestyle relay. This time, there was no controversy. The Hawks touched the wall in 1:42.97, just ahead of Sehome.

“Hard work pays off,” said Christenson, who also finished third in the 500 freestyle.

Sanders, Hiller and Christenson are all freshmen. Oja, after swimming for Hockinson for four years, said this was a perfect way to end her career.

“I’m really proud of our team,” Oja said. “I know we did the best that we could.”

Sanders said she knew exactly how she was faring during her individual victories. She enjoyed being out in front, but there are drawbacks to having big leads.

“It’s easier to push yourself when you have someone right next to you,” she said.

Didn’t happen in either race, though. She said she is getting closer to her personal best time of 2:10 in the IM. She also liked her performance in the butterfly.

“It’s always been my favorite,” she said of the event. “I just love it, and it’s my best stroke.”

But Saturday was all about the team, for Sanders and the rest of the Hawks.

Squalicum won the team title with 77 points. Sehome was second at 68. Hockinson totaled 58 points.

“I love it,” Sanders said. “I love swimming for Hockinson.”

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Columbian High School Sports Reporter