TACOMA — The South Kitsap Wolves beat all of their Kitsap County competitors at the district swimming tournament, placing third overall in the Narrows and South Puget Sound Division with a 134 score and establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the region.

“We exceeded all expectations this year,” said Wolves Head Coach Dennis Anderson. “I don’t know how we’ll place (at state) but the goal was to get back in it.”

Madison Rousell won the 50 meter freestyle event for SK, with a 25.57 time. She also placed third in the 100 freestyle and teammate Rachel Hubner placed fourth in the 100 butterfly. Megan Finnie came in fourth in the 500 freestyle as well.

“(Hubner) has been around swimming a long time,” Anderson said. “The other girls see how hard (Rousell) and (Finnie) work. They all lead by example.”

The Wolves’ success comes after a season in which they did not qualify any girls for state. When one considers SK is sending two freshman, five sophomores and two juniors this year, the team has definitely come a long way, Anderson said. And without a graduating senior at state, they’re young, too.

“In the future, we’ll be even tougher,” Anderson said. “We’ll be able to tackle some of those top 12 and top 16 spots at state.”

Central Kitsap came in second of the Kitsap teams and fifth overall, with 116. Also a young team, the Cougars are sending four swimmers — two juniors, one sophomore, and one freshman — to state.

“I think overall we did really well (at district),” said Patti Matthew, CK Head Coach. “We have a young team, so they did a nice job and it showed them what they’re capable of.”

Meghann Kennedy placed third in the 100 breaststroke with a 1:13:42 time to place third and Central’s 400 relay team of Kennedy, April Swaine, Kelsey Campbell, and Kristi Waterbury also came in third. Both the relay team and Kennedy’s 100 breaststroke finish earned them a pass to the state tournament.

Despite an ankle injury, junior Swaine still swam during the two-day competition. She has already qualified for state in the 100 and 200 freestyle.

“(Swaine) did pretty well considering ankle injury,” Matthew said. “She brings enthusiasm and leadership to this team.”

North Kitsap placed third among Kitsap teams and ninth overall, with a 74 score.

“We came here and did what we wanted to do,” said North Kitsap Vikings Coach Greg Braun. “We wanted to have good starts and good turns today.”

North Kitsap is sending its lone swim competitor — Jacklene Salwei — to state in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle races. For Salwei, like many swimmers at district, the race was a preparation for state.

“(Salwei) knows she’s qualified already,” Braun said. “She didn’t have the pressure of getting a time.”

Salwei, a senior for the Vikings, will compete in her fourth state tournament in four years.

“She knows what her limitations and abilities are,” Braun said.

“Experience will play a big role,” said NK Coach Marilyn Grindrod.