SK team deep, talented in the pool

For Madison Rousell, winning a state swimming title as a sophomore is just the beginning. There are more titles to be had, and she hopes her teammates will be joining her for the ride.

“I am so stoked for this year, I can’t even wait for the first meet,” the South Kitsap junior said. “The girls are so ready, we’ll just have to see what we can do.”

Rousell won the Class 4A 100-yard freestyle last November and took second in the 50 free, helping the Wolves to a 12th place finish.

With plenty of experience coming back, including a pair of divers who just missed last year, South seems on the verge of a big year.

It starts with Rousell, who has ramped up her workouts in hopes of at least repeating her success from last season. She’d like to win both of her specialty races, the 100 and 50 frees, and staying motivated hasn’t been much of a problem. She even found herself swimming in the hotel pool on a family vacation this summer.

“When I get in the pool and I’m not motivated to practice, because I have those days where (I ask myself), ‘Why am I doing this?’ I think about it and I know I have to defend my state title,” Rousell said. “I have to do that so I just get in and go.”

She’s been going strong since the state meet, working with the Puget Sound Swim Club and now back with her team

Her coach thinks the talented junior can break the 50-second mark in the 100 free. She won with a time of 52.35 last year, getting her one step closer to being one of the top swimmers in the state. And not just this year or next, but of all time.

“She worked hard all summer. She’s a hard worker — period,” South coach Dennis Anderson said. “She knows where she needs to go and what it takes to get there.”

With a lot of attention on the 100 free, it’s the 50 free that will be up for grabs this year, as the defending champ, Missy McIntyre of Oak Harbor, has graduated.

Rousell finished just under a second behind McIntyre at the state meet.

“I’ve thought about it a lot, and if I get one state title and top three in the other event, I’ll be satisfied,” Rousell said. “But if I get two state championships this year, I’ll go through the roof. I’ll be so excited.”

But there’s more to the Wolves than just Rousell. Megan Finnie returns for her final season. She was a state qualifier in the 500 free last year, along with a group of sophomores that could form some solid relay teams for South, something they desperately need.

Finnie will give the 100 butterfly a shot this year

Back are Katie Hubner, Desirae Reimers and Helen Tripple, all of whom preformed well last year and should help South in many areas.

“I know a lot of times when you’re young, it’s not always in your favor,” Anderson said. “But I had all these freshmen that were at state last year and now they’re a year older and they’ve got that state experience where they placed in the relays.”

Anderson said all three have really grown a lot and worked hard and should have outstanding years, even though he’s not sure just what events each will work on this year.

But all three will play key roles, along with others, in the three relay events, something the team will work hard on throughout the year.

Also back are divers Alyssa Drevniak and Cami Krier, giving Anderson a lot of optimism in an area where there has been little in the past.

“If they could have a real solid ‘push-themselves’ year, we could see good stuff out of those two,” Anderson said. “They have some talent. They’ve been looking good already and it’s only been the first week (of practice).”

Anderson said his last state diver was back in 1993, but he sees both putting an end to that streak.

2005 South Kitsap girls swimming schedule

Date Opponent Location Time

Sept. 8 Bremerton South Kitsap 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 Bainbridge Bainbridge 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 15 Gig Harbor South Kitsap 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 Bainbridge Relays Bainbridge Noon

Sept. 22 Port Angeles Port Angeles 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 29 North Kitsap Poulsbo 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 1 Muckleteo Federal Way TBD

Oct. 6 Olympic South Kitsap 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 8 Kentridge South Kitsap 1 p.m.

Oct. 13 Shelton South Kitsap 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 Central Kitsap Silverdale 3:30 p.m.

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