Erin Schulze feels the pressure. Taking over a boys swim program that hasn’t lost a meet in several years will have that effect on a coach. But Schulze, a Michigan native, hasn’t missed a beat thus far at Kentridge High. In fact, the Chargers find themselves today in much the same place they have found themselves at this time that last four years — in the driver’s seat.
Kentridge opened the season with wins over Kent-Meridian and Auburn and appear destined to win the program’s fifth-straight South Puget Sound League North Division crown.
Whether it happens or not, Schulze has felt some butterflies and an obligation at times.
“I definitely feel pressure,” said Schulze, who assisted with the school’s girls program this past fall. “But I have a lot of faith in this team. They want to continue dominating the league and I intend to get them there.”
Dominate would be a good way to put it for the Chargers. Kentridge entered the season having won 30-straight SPSL North dual meets and pushed that number to 32 less than two weeks into December. The last time the Chargers didn’t win a North Division meet came on Dec. 6, 2005, when it tied North Division foe Enumclaw, 93-93. The Chargers haven’t been sufficiently challenged since. And with a loaded lineup once again this winter, another crowning moment seems imminent.
Schulze, who is taking over for Ted Rychlik, didn’t know much about the Kentridge tradition and what has become known around the team as The Streak. She quickly learned during the first couple of practices.
“I wasn’t paying much attention until I accepted the position,” said Schulze, who swam and played water polo for four years at Western Michigan University. “I handed out goal sheets, and they all have the goal of keeping (The Streak) going.”
With a bevy of top-flight returners, that goal very well could be realized. Leading the way for the Chargers will be Bryan Lam (500 free, 100 breast), Kyle Wilson (50 free, 100 back) and Dallin Connell (100 free, 200 IM), all of whom swam on Kentridge’s 200-free relay at state last year. Adding to the talent is the return of Jake Dacus (100 butterfly, 50 free) and Max Baer (50 free, 100 free).
In addition, Kentridge boasts of having some of the strongest divers around. Despite losing Luke Carpenter to graduation, the Chargers still return standout divers Chuck Dickson, Matt Drui and Quinton Wong.
“I think they want to go and I want to help them go,” said Schulze. “I think we have a lot of talent on this team. We don’t have a lot of newcomers, but we have a lot of kids who’ve improved.”
One newcomer who already has made an impact, however, is junior sprinter Trent Davis, who is in his first year with the program. Davis turned heads already this season by serving up a time of 24.76 in the 50 free, which is barely short of qualifying for the district meet.
“I had to pick up my jaw off the ground,” Schulze said.
With any luck, those performances will continue for the Chargers. And, in the process take pressure off the first-year coach and replace it with a shiny new league crown.
RYAN EXPRESS
The numbers are Kentwood are lower than they’ve been in years as just 14 swimmers turned out for this year’s team.
Numbers aside, however, there’s reason to get excited about the Conquerors this winter. Especially when considering that in senior Logan Ryan, Kentwood possesses one of the South Puget Sound League North Division’s top-returning swimmers.
Logan is among a small smattering of North Division swimmers who competed at the state level last year. He took 12th in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.47) and also swam legs on the team’s state-qualifying 200-yard medley relay and 400-free relay squads.
“I would be shocked if he didn’t go to state,” said Kentwood coach Sharon Wright. “I think he’s looking at a top-eight finish right now, which wouldn’t surprise me a bit with his mental toughness and drive. I’m just going to step out of his way and let him go.”
Ryan, however, isn’t alone in regards to talent in the Kentwood pool. Also returning are Jimmy Cutler (backstroke), Tyler Sesnon (sprints) and John Perko (sprints) among others.
Meanwhile, Kentwood brings back a solid contingent of divers, led by senior Greg Smith and sophomore Jesse Dehnert.
Add in freshman newcomer Tanner Esser (all around) and, though the numbers are small at Kentwood, there’s reason to believe in the talent in the pool.
“He’s just a good all-around swimmer,” Wright said of Esser.
SPSL NORTH AT A GLANCE
• FAVORITE: Kentridge.
• CONTENDERS: Kentlake, Tahoma.
• SLEEPERS: Kent-Meridian, Kentwood.
• LEAGUE OUTLOOK: As it has been the last four years, the league title goes through Kentridge. The Chargers entered the season on a 30-meet South Puget Sound League North Division win streak and appear on a collision course to run the table again. However, look out for Kentlake and Tahoma. The Falcons bolted out of the gate with convincing wins over Kentwood and Federal Way and should give the Chargers a run. … There’s been plenty of coaching turnover in the North. Diana Ekstrom has taken over for David Beyer at Kentlake. Ekstrom is Kentlake’s third coach in as many years. At Kentridge, Erin Schulze has taken over for Ted Rychlik. And at Tahoma, Kati Shelton has taken over for Hailey MacConaghy, who spent one year with the program. … The North returns a total of 5 state swimmers: Kentwood’s Logan Ryan (breaststroke and two relays); Kent-Meridian’s Matt Bailey (200 IM, 500 free) and Kentridge’s Kyle Wilson, Dallin Connell and Bryan Lam, all of whom competed on the 200-free relay last winter. … Kent-Meridian went 0-8 in SPSL North duals a year ago, but things are looking up at the East Hill school, which has a solid number of returners and a good nucleus behind Bailey, Kennan Komoto (sprints), Cody Bartholomew (50 free, backstroke) and Luis Arellano (springs, 200 free).
LAST 5 LEAGUE CHAMPS
YEAR/TEAM/RECORD
2009 Kentridge 8-0
2008 Kentridge 7-0
2007 Kentridge 7-0
2006 Kentridge 8-0
2005 Enumclaw 8-0
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