MIHS girls swim and dive starts season 4-0

Special to the Reporter

Mercer Island High School’s girls swim and dive team showcased its talent and teamwork with four commanding victories to start its 2025 season. The Islanders beat Redmond, 133.5–42.5, on Sept. 9, Newport High School, 139-44, on Sept. 16, Seattle Prep, 112-58, on Sept. 18 and Inglemoor, 121-65, on Sept. 25.

The team is a powerhouse known for its strong, supportive group dynamic. The Islanders are three-time defending 3A state champions (‘22, ‘23 and ‘24) and newly minted 2024-25 National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches’ Association national dual meet champions.

The Islanders dominated all three relays, winning each at all four meets. They earned 3A state-qualifying times in each relay with the following times: 200 medley relay (3:44.35), 200 freestyle relay (1:41.68) and 400 freestyle relay (3:37.97).

On Sept. 9 versus Redmond, freshman Klara Kirschbaum (200 individual medley, 2:10.77) and sophomore Tatum Enge (200 freestyle, 1:56.85) won their respective events and qualified for the 3A state championship meet. The win was a team effort with additional event wins by senior Meg Dahlin (50 freestyle), senior Emily Dunn (100 butterfly) and sophomore Jeannette Zhao (500 freestyle).

At the Newport meet on Sept. 16, more 3A state-qualifying times were swum by Tatum Enge in the 100 fly (57.84) and the 200 IM (2:09.60), Kirschbaum in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.59) and senior Gracyn Kehoe in the 200 free (1:53.11) and the 100 freestyle (52.62). Dahlin (500 free) and sophomore Clare Capasso (1-meter diving) also had event wins at the meet.

The Islanders continued their dominance on Sept. 18 versus Seattle Prep. Kehoe in the 200 IM (2:05.21) and Tatum Enge in the 100 free (53.66) qualified for the 3A state meet. Sophomore Elaine Chen (50 frees) and Kirschbaum (200 free and 100 fly) notched additional event wins.

The winning streak continued on Sept. 25 versus Inglemoor. Kirschbaum earned another 3A state-qualifying time in the 500 free (5:17.09). The Islanders secured event wins by Chen (100 free and 200 free), Tatum Enge (50 free and 100 backstroke) and junior Emma Nowakowski (100 fly).

Coach Chauntelle Johnson awarded the gold cap to freshman Hanna Park (versus Redmond), freshman Ragen Whelan (versus Newport), freshman Lila Goodall (versus Seattle Prep) and Chen (versus Inglemoor) for their stellar performances and gutsy races.

Come and cheer on the team at its upcoming meet at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 30 at Mary Wayte Pool versus crosstown rival Bellevue.