One For the Books: Boys’ Swim Team Sets New Record In Victory

By Kendra Shine

The RAL swim team battled their way to win twice in a double-dual swim meet versus Hudson’s Bay and Fort Vancouver on Jan 7.

There were many close races and photo finishes as the Lumberjacks narrowly defeated Hudson’s Bay 73-71 and dominated Fort Vancouver 87-35.

Bill Davenport 11 earned victories in the 100 Butterfly in 1:05.01 and the 100 Breaststroke in 1:10.85.

“Although I’ve already made my state time in the 100 Breaststroke, I’m hoping that more of the other swimmers, like the sophomores, will make state times or place in districts,” Davenport said.

Collin Meharg 11 took second in the 500 Freestyle with a state qualifying time of 5:18.88, bettering his previous time by over ten seconds.

“I’m happy about making the state time, but I would have beat the guy if I wouldn’t have screwed up my fifth turn,” Meharg said of his 500 Freestyle race.

Though the team has few wins, they did succeed in breaking a school record in the boys’ 200 Freestyle Relay on Dec 11 in the meet against Aberdeen.  The previous record was set in 2005.

Not only did they break that record once, but broke their own current record in the relay again.  In the meet against Hudson’s Bay and Fort Vancouver, they set the new record of 1:42.22, three seconds better than their previous record.

The record breaking team consisted of Bill Davenport, Collin Meharg, Ryan Hunter 10, and Tima Pisarchuk 11.

“I’m just hoping that the relay team will make it to state this year and improve in state placing from last year,” Davenport said.

There were more impressive races at the Kentridge Invite on Jan 7.

“Bill Davenport bettered his own personal best time in the 100 Breaststroke and bettered his own state qualifying time set earlier this season,” the RAL/MM head swim coach Richard Carr said, “and Ryan Hunter lowered his personal best time in the 500 free by over 3 seconds.”

It looks like the boys’ swim team has many good things to come, as well as impressive state appearances.