Girls swim: Seven South Kitsap competitors advance to district meet

Seven South Kitsap swimmers will advance to the Class 4A West Central District meet at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Rogers High School in Puyallup.

“I’m really happy with the core here,” South coach Cliff Rousell said. “They’re reaching their peaks now. They’re happy and hungry.”

The Wolves are led by senior Nicole Hinely, who is aiming for her fourth straight state appearance. That is held Nov. 11-12 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

Hinely placed second in the 200-yard freestyle in 2 minutes, 0.33 seconds, last week at the Narrows League Championships at Foss High School. Stadium’s Felicity Can won that event in 1:58.48.

She also will compete in the 100 butterfly. Hinely placed third in that event (1:01.05) at the Narrows meet.

Six other South competitors also are headed to districts. Freshman Zoe Desmet, who finished sixth in the 100 freestyle in 59.73 seconds, will compete in that event.

Paige Pearsall, a junior, also placed eighth in the 100 butterfly in 1:07.38.

Senior Jessica Carter did not compete in the 200 freestyle at the league meet, but Rousell thinks she might have the best chance to advance to state after Hinely.

Carter and Hinely also figure to compete for spots on the Wolves’ relay teams. Both the 200-individual medley and 400-freestyle relay teams qualified. Rousell said it will be an “open competition” for those spots this week that also will include Desmet, sophomore Heidi Edgecomb, junior Svea Van Parys and senior Johanna Willoughby.

Rousell said he is excited to see how his team fares.

“There’s a lot of talent in the South Puget Sound League,” he said. “It’s going to be exciting.”

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