Showdown with arch rival Bellevue tomorrow at 3:30 at Mary Wayte Pool

By Matt Phelps
Mercer Island Reporter

The Mercer Island girls swim team raised its in-league record to a perfect 5-0 this week with a 111-74 victory over Liberty at Boehm Pool in Issaquah Thursday.

The big meet against Bellevue will take place tomorrow at Mary Wayte Pool. But the meet is big for different reasons than in past years. The Islanders want to finish the season strong and with the regular season 3A KingCo dual meet title. And while Bellevue is not the caliber team they have been in recent years, they still pose a danger.

“They have lost a lot of senior leadership but anytime you lose you want to bounce back,” said Mercer Island head coach Jeff Lowell. “Since we are natural rivals they will regain their focus and give it their best.”

After a fast start to this season, Mercer Island has continued to win. But more importantly the team has continued to gain valuable state qualifying times.

The team against Liberty was Sara Markwith with one individual victory and two from relay teams.

Markwith has also bolstered her potential at state by swimming to four qualifying times this season compared to just one last year.

Senior Melissa Chandless has already earned four state qualifying times. According to Lowell, she could end up with seven, one behind team leader and Ironman qualifier Rachel Godfred.

“(Victories) have been coming from different people on different days,” said Lowell. “The Graham sisters have have taken a big step towards a good post season.”

That step came against Bainbridge Island on Saturday, as Mercer Island hosted the Spartans for the second half of the dual meet series, winning 102.5-65.5.

The only blemish on the Islanders’ record this season came in a rare tie earlier this season against Kennedy High School, as the team is 9-0-1 overall.

But the focus is now on Bellevue and completing an undefeated season.

“It will be senior day so we will try to get everyone in,” said Lowell.