Carsen Dean is excited about the Tahoma boys swim and dive team’s prospects this year.
“Based on how the past few weeks have been going, we’re working a lot harder,” Dean said. “A lot of people are returning. We have a really good relay. We have people who are solid for each event.”
Dean, a senior captain, believes the Bears can improve on the 2009 campaign, which saw the squad make significant strides under Coach Kati Stanford, now in her second year at the helm.
This year, it’s about the little things the Tahoma swimmers do in the pool, Dean explained.
“Your reaction time at the start, your turns, your form,” he said. “The better you are at all those things, the better you’ll do. It’s not just about swimming fast.”
In addition, the 200 yard medley relay is stronger this year, Dean said. It’s threatening to break the school record and could well do so by the end of the season.
A strength for Tahoma is going to be depth this season.
“We have a big team,” Dean said. “It seems like some teams only have one or two people per event and we have at least five.”
More swimmers increases the potential to score points for the team, which increases the potential to win races and meets.
Stanford said during a recent practice that she expects South Puget Sound League newcomer Mount Rainier to be a challenge but the depth should be helpful overall.
“We have a larger team, so, that should help us,” Stanford said. “We should have one, possibly two strong relays that could go to state.”
If the girls state championship meet taught Stanford anything, it’s that relays can win titles as Skyline won its second straight 4A girls swim and dive championship earlier this month thanks in large part to a pair of relay race wins.
She will be looking to guys like sophomore Michael Cox to improve on their 2009 performances. Last year as a freshman he made it to the West Central District meet in his individual events but just missed out on qualifying for state.
“We definitely want to have a lot more guys get to the championship meets,” Cox said. “Last year we had guys who came close. We’re a strong team. We’re one team. We’re all friends and overall we have a good team.”
What could also help Tahoma’s efforts to improve are divers Justin Tracey, a junior, and sophomore Ben Price. Both have gymnastics experience.
“I feel like this year is a going to be a large improvement,” Tracey said. “We have a lot of people returning. I have a pretty good feeling we’re going to do well this year.”
Tracey, who also plays football and lacrosse, is in his second year diving. He attributes his interest to diving to time spent on the backyard trampoline perfecting his technique.
Price, meanwhile, spent 13 years in gymnastics but had to cut back on that as high school became more demanding. So, he went to diving because he wanted to stay sharp and because “I love being in the air, I love flipping, I love the water.”
As a freshman he nearly qualified for state, so, he has aspirations for himself and Tracey to represent the Bears at the state dive competition this year.
“I think we’re going to do well,” he said. “We’ve got some experience… and some new divers, so, I think it will be a good year.”
The big difference from gymnastics to diving has been adjusting to the landing.
“In gymnastics, you never land on your head,” Price said. “So, in dive it’s weird to do a 1 1/2 or a 2 1/2 because you’re not used to landing on your head.”
Tahoma takes on Mount Rainier in its first league meet of the season on Dec. 7 at its home pool, the Covington Aquatic Center.
