With strong veterans like Elise Tinseth, and excellent newcomers like Mackenna Briggs, the Liberty swim and dive team heads into state looking good.

Tinseth is no stranger to the state meet. Last year she placed sixth in the 100 breast and seventh in the 200 IM, while also swimming on the Patriots’ 200-medley and 400-free relay teams.

This season she came in with the goal of qualifying for every state in every event, something she just missed.

“There was some extra pressure because it’s my senior year,” she said. “It was a little disappointing to miss the ones I did by about a second.”

But Tinseth didn’t stay down. She will compete at this weekend in the 200-medley relay, 200 IM (in which she’s qualified with the fourth fastest time in state), 100 breast (third fastest state time), and the 400-free relay.

Briggs is on the different end of the spectrum as a freshman. She’s already made quite a splash this season as the first freshman in Liberty history to qualify for state in every event.

“I didn’t know that I was the first one until I got all my times,” Briggs said. “It’s really cool, and it was my goal at the beginning of the year.”

She picked up her final time in the 100 breast, what she called her worst event, Oct. 1 at the Mukilteo Invite.

Briggs is swimming in the 100 back (second fastest state time), 200 IM (third fastest state time), 200-medley relay and 400-free relay at state.

“I’m really hoping to come in first, but I’m fine with a top three, “ Briggs said. “It’s going to be really cool.”

Both Briggs and Tinseth are looking forward to the state meet, something that’s a different experience than they get with club swimming.

“High school state is the most exciting, exhilarating meet out there, “ Tinseth said. “It’s much better compared to year-round swim meets. I don’t know why, I can’t really explain it.”

Tinseth also said Briggs is in for quite surprise when she hits the water at King Country Aquatic Center Friday.

“She doesn’t know what she’s in for,” Tinseth said.