Washington’s high school class 4A (big schools) state title came down to the final relay, with three different programs in the hunt right down to the finish.
Heading into that final relay, Newport High School was nursing a narrow, 4-point lead over Camas High School with Kamiak just twelve back of second-place. With relays scoring double, the meet could have gone any which way based on the outcome of the final event.
Kamiak led the way early, getting a big 46.54 split from leadoff man Shelby Lee. But Michael Bondarenko of Newport caught his team up on the second leg, splitting 49.36 to lock the teams in a dead-even tie at the halfway point. Meanwhile Issaquah also put themselves in the hunt, sitting just .07 back.
Will Dittig pushed Newport out to the lead with a 47.40, but suddenly Kamiak anchor Eben Schuman was closing the gap. Schuman split 46.12, closing hard on Newport’s Andrew Pana (46.25). Issaquah also got back into the hunt with the fastest overall anchor, Jason Klein at 45.86.
But it was Newport who held off the field to ice their state title in 3:10.18. Klein brought Issaquah back for second, touching at 3:10.65, and Kamiak went 3:10.99.
Camas had their own quick anchor (Kasey Calwell in 45.89), but didn’t have the front half speed to stay in the lead pack, ending up fourth in 3:13.92. That gave Newport the win, with Camas narrowly edging Kamiak for second place.
That made two of the last three events wins for Newport, as Dave Makhervaks won the 100 back in 50.80 over Issaquah’s Klein.
Doubling up for runner-up Camas was the senior Calwell. He took the 200 IM (1:51.10) and 100 breast (56.53). That 100 breast came the event right before his great 400 free relay split, making the feat even more impressive.
Camas also got a 100 fly win from Lucas Ulmer in 51.10.
Inglemoor swept the other two relays, including the meet’s only state record in the 200 medley. Seth Birrell, Reid Anderson, Fisher Munro and Alex Crotteau went 1:35.57 to break the class 4A meet record in that medley, getting a nice 26.40 on breaststroke from Anderson.
The same foursome won the 200 free relay in 1:27.09, getting a 21.27 anchor leg from Crotteau.
Other event winners:
- Kamiak’s Lee won the 200 free in 1:41.17
- Moses Lake senior Madison Molitor went 21.29 to win the 50 free
- Lake Stevens senior Chase Reid took the 1-meter diving title with 447.85 points
- Rogers senior Mitchell Crossen went 45.97 to power away with the 100 free
- Walla Walla senior Tyler Jones took the 500 free in 4:35.27
Top 5 Teams
- Newport – 199
- Camas – 185
- Kamiak – 175
- Issaquah – 162
- Moses Lake – 149
