Kentridge wins NSPL Cascade Division swim and dive title

Published 9:50 am Thursday, October 20, 2016

In the first year of the resurrected 4A North Puget Sound League, Kentridge High School girls swim and dive team captured the Cascade Division title.

“It’s an exciting time for us to be in a new league,” coach Eric Kress said.

The Chargers were 7-0 in dual meets in the division and 7-1 overall – the only loss a league meet against Puyallup.

“Our dual meets went pretty well in the division,” Kress said.

Kentridge won its biggest meet of the regular season with a 104-81 victory over Tahoma on Sept. 20, which set the Chargers up to win the division. Tahoma (6-1) finished second in the division.

“That meet, in general, was the team’s big thing,” Kress said. “Tahoma is one of the stronger teams in the league .”

Last season, Kentridge missed the division title with a loss to Tahoma in the last meet of the season.

Kress attributed the team’s success to its depth. There is a solid group of seniors who have been on the team for several years, coupled with strong freshman and sophomore classes, he said.

Of the 33 swimmers on the team, 25 qualified for the NPSL meet, which is at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Hazen Pool in Renton. Last year, 16 of the 36 swimmers competed in the league meet.

“We definitely have our sights set on the league meet,” Kress said. “It is kind of big that almost the whole team (qualified for leagues).”

The West Central District 4A championship meet is Oct. 27-29 at Curtis Aquatic Center in University Place. The 4A state championships are Nov. 11-12 at King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.