Breaking the impasse with Bellevue could mean a state title for Islanders
By Matt Phelps
Mercer Island Reporter
The rivalry between Mercer Island and Bellevue in high school athletics reaches every sport. The Islander girls’ swim team has reached an impasse with the Wolverines over the past few years. Mercer Island defeats Bellevue during the regular season, during the KingCo and district meets, but the state meet belongs to Bellevue.
“It just comes down to how much we want it this year,” said Islander Sara Markwith. “They have lost some good swimmers and this is our chance.”
The Islanders have the talent to beat Bellevue this season, and maybe everyone else in the state.
“Everyone got faster over the summer and they all enjoy the work,” said Mercer Island High School girls’ swim coach Jeff Lowell. “In the past few years it hasn’t mattered what we do. But they see the door opening and they are hungry.”
During a preseason practice Lowell could count nearly 25 state times on his team.
“When you get into that area, it is hard for anyone to beat you,” said Lowell.
The Islanders’ times are impressive but the depth and versatility of the team is its strength. Lowell said that 80 kids turned out for the team, which is more than last year, when the team’s depth helped push them to fourth in state.
“I have five or six girls that I can put anywhere in a meet,” said Lowell. “I can fill gaps and it keeps the kids fresh. That is a luxury that not many other coaches have.”
One of the best known is junior Rachel Godfred, who qualified for state in every individual swimming event, earning her the “ironman” award for the second consecutive year.
“We really went to work in November (after the season) and took a look at where she could improve,” said Lowell. “She has gotten better and I am going to move her around an awful lot. All of our top speed got better.”
The three captains on the team, Olivia Boeck, Amy Wolfe and Hannah Bliss, earned praise from their teammates after just a week of practice.
“They have really brought us together as a team and I think we will do better this year because of it,” said Markwith.
All three seniors had impressive days in the pool at state last November.
“They just need to keep being themselves,” said Lowell. “They are positive kids and it rubs off on the younger swimmers.”
Diving has been one of the team’s biggest strengths in past years. Last year was the first time in a decade when an Islander didn’t medal at state. Hannah Hedrick, Erin Bartlet and Lauriel Camp will look to change that in November.
The Islanders will again be at the top of KingCo with a strong challenge coming from Newport. The team will compete in the dual meet challenge against three of the best teams in the state and will face Kennedy and participate in the Mukilteo Invitational. The meet that means the most, however, is still state.
“This class of seniors (is) hungry,” said Lowell.
