A year after placing 12th at the 3A state meet, the Liberty girls swim and dive team brings back plenty of talent to keep building for the future.
“The team is kind of in a growing year,” said Liberty coach Kris Daughters. “We’re going to get quite a few club and summer swimmers in next year and we’ll be winning more meets.”
Senior Nicole Lecoq is the team’s best swimmer this season. Lecoq has already made history by completing the Ironman challenge (qualifying for state in all eight individual events). She starred in the 3A state meet last year, earning fourth place in the 200 freestyle and fifth in the 100 backstroke. She was also part of two strong Liberty relays (200 medley, 400 free)
Daughters said the Ironman status is a great accomplishment for the senior captain. “The kids have made a big deal of being Ironman.”
Junior Elise Tinseth should also make an impact at state. As a sophomore last season, Tinseth placed ninth in the 200 individual medley, eighth in the 100 breaststroke and was part of two Liberty relays (200 medley, 400 free).
The Patriots have started the season at 2-4 in dual meets, but they’ve faced a murder’s row of competition. Of the four teams that beat Liberty, three (Mercer Island, Juanita and Bellevue) placed in the top four at the 3A state meet last season. The fourth, Hazen, came in 18th and more than doubles Liberty’s team size.
Daughters said Liberty has 36 swimmers this season, an ideal size for her.
“It’s not so big that we have to split up practices or anything,” Daughters said. “When you get up to 70 kids or higher, that seems like an unbelievable management nightmare.”
A few other key athletes for the Patriots this season are Caitlin Duffner, Robin Bolluck and Rachel Wittenberg.
Duffner, a junior, leads Liberty’s distance group.
“She brings a solid work ethic to the team,” Daughters said. “She’s really into high school swimming, more so than club swimming. She’s quiet, but a good leader because of her example.”
Bolluck (a senior captain) and Wittenberg (a freshman) are divers.
Daughters called Bullock a “mother hen” for the team and said all of the other girls greatly respect her. Wittenberg has a dance and gymnastics background, so Daughters is very excited about her future.
Another swimmer coming on is sophomore Katie Nelson, who swims the backstroke and IM.
One big change for the KingCo is the format of the league meet. This year the KingCo 3A/2A and KingCo 4A leagues will be combined, meaning swimmers will have to swim to a standard to qualify for the meet. Before, everyone could compete.
“It’s a good motivator to try to make the postseason,” Daughters said. “Rather than having everybody go to KingCo, you have to make a certain time. It’s kind of a goal to get as many kids as possible to that KingCo standard.”
