Wolves lacking depth, seniors on boys swimming team

Even at a school as large as South Kitsap, depth in athletic programs can be problematic at times.

South boys swimming coach Tami Lester-Dame realized that early when the Wolves lost 111-74 on Friday in their season opener against Wilson. She said her team was without three competitors who suffered from illness and injuries, which left the team with eight varsity swimmers.

“It takes 13 swimmers to fill a good lineup,” Lester-Dame said. “We’re kind of missing that middle depth.”

The Wolves also graduated several swimmers off last season’s team, but Lester-Dame likes the young talent in the program. She said a trio of sophomores -- Brandon Davis (200-yard individual medley), Taylor Rousell (500 freestyle, 100 butterfly) and Justin Slezak (100 breaststroke, 200 individual medley) -- in addition to three juniors, Danny DeRego (500 freestyle), Zack Joachim (100 butterfly) and Brandon Lester (100 freestyle), are the core of the team.

“I think we’re pretty solid,” Lester said. “I like the fact that we like to get a lot done and pull together.”

The strength of the group might be its relay teams. The 200 freestyle relay team earned the Wolves one of their few wins against Wilson when it finished at 1 minute, 39.78 seconds. Lester-Dame said she hopes to have all three relay teams place in the top 10 at state and her athletes don’t disagree.

“I think we’re going to be really strong,” DeRego said. “We’ll have some good relays.”

Lester-Dame also is excited about her divers, particularly seniors Justin Gleason and Michael Haire.

“We have some significant divers,” she said. “I think they will be undefeated through the end of the year.”

As usual, several Wolves expect their most significant challenge to come toward the end of the league schedule when they face rival Gig Harbor on Jan. 17.

“Gig Harbor is always the one to beat,” Lester said. “Last year, we were undefeated and lost to them.”

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