BOYS SWIMMING: Beamer beats Curtis for the first time in school history, remains unbeaten

For the first time in the eight-year history of Todd Beamer High School, the Titans’ boys swimming and diving program can say they beat the Curtis Vikings in the pool.

The 102-84 victory over Curtis Tuesday inside the King County Aquatic Center not only snapped the Titans’ losing streak to the Vikings, but also secured Beamer the South Puget Sound League South Division championship. The unbeaten Titans (4-0) have one more dual meet remaining in the regular season Friday at Emerald Ridge.

“It was really exciting to see some personal-best times made at the meet, with several of our swimmers qualifying for postseason swims,” said Beamer head coach Sue Bergman. “It has been an exciting season.”

The win also meant that Curtis won’t win the SPSL regular season title for the first time since 2003, snapping a seven-year streak. The Vikings’ last SPSL South loss came in 2004.

Beamer just had too much depth for Curtis Tuesday at the Aquatic Center. The Titans finished first in all 11 swimming events. The Vikings’ lone win came in the diving portion of the meet.

Beamer’s depth was never more evident than in the 200-yard medley relay. Beamer led off the dual meet by snaring the top two places, both in state-qualifying times.

Bart Wanot, Cole Um, Costner McKenzie and Andrew Maertins won the event inside the King County Aquatic Center in a blazing time of 1:43.03. But the team of Dylan Chase, Jade Feigert, Matt Um and Blake Jordan followed right behind with another state time of 1:44.46.

The Titans are hoping to better their finish in the medley relay from last year’s state meet when Wanot, Cole Um, Feigert and the now-graduated Shane Clare finished in second place behind Shorewood. Also, there were no schools with more than one team in any of the three relays at last year’s state meet.

The relay teams weren’t the only state-qualifying swims during Tuesday’s dual meet win over Curtis. Cole Um also swam automatic times in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. Um finished first in the individual medley in 2:01.61 and won the breaststroke in 1:00.84.

Feigert dominated the 100 freestyle with a state time of 49.90 and Wanot won the 100 backstroke in a state time of 55.33. Wanot won the Class 4A state championship in the backstroke last year and finished second in the 50 free.

Beamer’s other wins Tuesday came from Matt Um in the 200 free (1:54.56), McKenzie in the 50 free (23.32), Chase in the 100 butterfly (56.55), Wanot in the 100 free (5:31.34), the 200 free relay team of Chase, Maertins, McKenzie and Blake Jordan (1:37.55) and the 400 free relay team of Matt Um, McKenzie, Feigert and Cole Um.

The swimming and diving postseason will kick off Jan. 29 at the SPSL Meet at Rogers and will continue Feb. 4-5 at the West Central District Meet, also at Rogers High School. The Class 4A State Swimming and Diving Championships will be Feb. 18-19 at the King County Aquatics Center.