STATE SWIMMING/DIVING: Federal Way’s Anderson hopes to make a splash at state

There were plenty of expectations for Thomas Anderson when he entered Federal Way High School as a freshman this fall.

By Casey Olson • February 20, 2014 6:08 pm

There were plenty of expectations for Thomas Anderson when he entered Federal Way High School as a freshman this fall.

Anderson has put together an ultra-impressive youth swimming career, which has included two separate National Age Group Records. As a 14-year-old, Anderson became the first swimmer in the 13-14 age group to swim under 49 seconds in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 48.73 in March. Anderson’s time broke the old USA Swimming record in the event set by Gray Umbach (49.20).

Anderson’s King Aquatic Club 200 medley relay team set another record in 2012 with a time of 1:52.78. Anderson swam the leadoff backstroke leg.

Anderson is hoping to bring home a pair of individual state titles this weekend for the Eagles at the Class 4A State Boys Swimming Championships at the King County Aquatic Center.

Anderson enters as the top seed in the 50-yard freestyle with a preliminary time of 21.26, which outdistances second-place Chase Bublitz from Kentridge (21.48). Anderson is also the second-ranked swimmer in the 100 backstroke (51.24) behind Curtis’ Brian Woodbury (49.69).

Anderson started swimming competitively at the age of 11 and now is in the pool seven days a week for three to four hours every day. He has been with the vaunted King Aquatic Club since he was 12.

Anderson will be joined inside the Aquatic Center by Federal Way teammates Robert Hughes, Spencer Berry and Chris Flores. Hughes will swim in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley and Berry will compete in the 100 butterfly.

The foursome will also compete together in the 200 medley relay, the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay.

A pair of Decatur divers will be competing in the 1-meter event at the state championships. Junior Jordan Nelson enters the competition as the sixth-ranked diver with a preliminary-round score of 330.95 and senior Evan Sobus is ninth with 310.40.

State Swimming/Diving

When, where: Friday and Saturday, King County Aquatic Center, Federal Way

Schedule: Friday – 4A preliminaries are from 9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday; 3A preliminaries from 6:15 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. Saturday – 4A finals start at 10 a.m.; and 3A finals start at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets: Daily passes are $9 for adults, $7 for students and senior citizens. Weekend passes are $15 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens.