MARYSVILLE — The Tomahawk swimmers said farewell to their seniors and another old school record this week as M-P hosted a district dive meet on the heels of their final home dual meet of the season against Everett.
After breaking the school’s six-dive record last year, Sarah Clark broke the 11-dive mark Oct. 25 in front of a home crowd, once again eclipsing a mark set by M-P alum Brittany Berg in 1997. Clark’s score of 396.40 was about 10 points better than the school’s previous best mark. With the record-setting performance, Clark had her third state-qualifying dive performance this season in as many opportunities.
Clark’s performance came two days after all three of the Tomahawk varsity divers scored over 200 points over six dives against Everett.
While coaches were unsure whether the feat has been accomplished before, “It’s been a long time,” said Clark, who led that Tomahawk effort as well with a score of 255.65. Senior Liz Kuljis and sophomore Marysa Eastman were neck-and-neck throughout with the senior edging her younger teammate be less than two points.
The record was the second set by the girls swim team this season after the girls toppled the 400 freestyle relay two weeks ago against Snohomish.
Though the divers stole the show against Everett, several Tomahawk swimmers accomplished season-long goals in the Oct. 23 meet. With a district time and a win in the 200 freestyle for freshman Kendall Vincelette and the same for sophomore Jewel LeValley in the 500 freestyle, the two underclassmen swimmers won the team Platinum Award for swimming district times in all 11 non-diving events. Eleven more Tomahawk swimmers have attempted the feat, earning Ironwoman status.
“This number may increase after JV championships,” added swim coach Jaci Legore Hodgins, referring to the event the Tomahawks will host Oct. 30.
Though no one swam state times against Everett, M-P won the meet 136-50 with about 40 new personal best times among the team, the coach estimated.
In addition, the team honored their seven graduating seniors: Kuljis, Melinda Blomberg, Robynn Bryant, Kamille Girard, Alyssa Olson, Rae Nal and Emily Reinig.
“One of the most rewarding things about being a coach is watching how a team interacts and takes care of each other,” Legore Hodgins added. “We as coaches are very blessed to get to work with these young ladies every day.”
Districts follow JV championships taking place over three days beginning Nov. 6 at Kamiak.