They all made it to the state meet last year, and they have already clinched a trip to state this swimming season.
Athena Duus, Madisyn Morin, Makena Wilcox, and Kara Noftsker want to do so much better than last year, though.
These Columbia River Chieftains have a lot going for them, too.
Naturally, they are stronger, faster athletes than in 2015. That is one edge.
Plus, there is a major change that should benefit the Chieftains: They are no longer in Class 3A. They will swim in the 2A meet.
“I think we should definitely take advantage of the new set-up,” Duus said. “We should take more individuals with us to state, get a bigger team out there to represent River.”
Duus, Morin, Wilcox, and Noftsker hit the state qualifying mark in the 400-yard freestyle relay Tuesday at Propstra Aquatic Center.
So they already know they are going back to state.
Noftsker, who finished eighth in the 100 freestyle at state last year, said one of her main goals this season is to help the team crack the top 10.
“It would be great to have 10 or 12 of us up there,” she said. “I think it would be really fun.”
That is the point of high school swimming, after all. The fun.
“Team sleepovers. Team bonding. Things you don’t usually get with club teams,” Morin said.
“With high school swimming, it’s just a different environment,” Wilcox said. “It creates more of a family. Everyone’s here to encourage you, cheer for you. Everyone is happy.”
Wilcox and Noftsker are juniors. Morin is a sophomore. For Duus, this is it. Just a couple more months of high school swimming.
“I was thinking about that going into the season, kind of freaking out about it,” Duus said. “I’m saying goodbye this year. And I’m trying to end on a rally good note with my team.”
It is September, but so far, so good for the Chieftains, state-bound already.
