Traffic in the lanes at South Kitsap’s swimming pool is a lot heavier this year.

After last year’s district meet, only Nicole Hinely and Angela Pearson were left preparing for state.

But the pool was noticeably more crowded as practice resumed after Saturday’s West Central District III Class 4A swimming and diving championships at Rogers in Puyallup.

“I can’t remember a better meet up and down the board in 24 years of coaching,” Dennis Anderson said. “We did great on Friday and improved almost 100 percent on Saturday. It was the Cinderella story. It was perfect.”

Four individuals advanced from that competition in addition to the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relay teams to the Nov. 13-14 state meet at Federal Way’s King County Aquatic Center. Hinely, a sophomore, tied with Olympia junior Clara Heffernan for first place in the 200 freestyle in 1 minute, 55.57 seconds.

“Clara was a really good competitor,” Hinely said. “I’m really happy I had a chance to go against her.”

Hinely also won the 100 butterfly in 58.39. Her goal is to win state in that event and she wants to break Molly Smith’s 1988 school-record time of 1:55.01 in the 200 freestyle.

But she also is excited about the prospect of sharing the limelight with several teammates. The top six finishers in each event advance to state.

“Just having the whole team’s support her and more girls getting that experience is wonderful,” Hinely said.

She was the only Wolves individual who achieved a state-qualifying time. Junior Angela Pearson, who advances to Federal Way for a third consecutive year, was allocated in the 500 freestyle. She finished third in that event in 5:23.06. A state-qualifying mark in that swim is 5:19.5.

“She put mind and body together,” Anderson said. “It was nice to see because she’s had a tough time all year.”

Kelsey Bagley, a junior, will make her first state appearance in the 100 freestyle. She won the consolation heat in that event and finished fifth overall at districts in 55.81. The state benchmark in that event is 55.4.

“I’ve noticed a lot more coaching techniques, which has helped a lot,” said Bagley, who adjusted her stroke at Anderson’s behest after struggling with shoulder injuries. “It’s really exciting to see that big change.”

Another junior, Ashlee Becker, also advances to state for the first time. She won the consolation heat in the 100 butterfly and was fifth overall in 1:01.55. A state-qualifying mark in that swim is 1:01.2.

“She dropped quite a bit of time,” Anderson said. “If she has another little drop in time, she can make finals.”

South’s relays were particularly strong at districts. The 200 freestyle relay team of junior Rachel Wester, Becker, Bagley and Hinely won the event in 1:42.65, which was a state-qualifying time.

Anderson was impressed with Wester, who is the first swimmer in that event.

“She’s the one who really sets the tone for those relays,” he said. “She’s probably the reason why we went so fast.”

The Wolves’ 400 freestyle relay team of Pearson, Bagley, freshman Paige Pearsall and junior Hannah Straavaldson finished ninth in 3:57.63, but they already achieved a state-qualifying time in the Narrows League meet.

“We have a couple of relays that can place in the top eight,” Anderson said.

He said the team’s practice focus is on aerobics.

“I’ve got to work them a little bit because it’s a long two weeks,” Anderson said. “We’ll rest them a little bit and then it’s game on.”

West Central District III Class 4A swimming and diving championships

Team scores: Gig Harbor 169, Kentlake 150, Todd Beamer 140, Stadium 131, South Kitsap 119.5, Jefferson 109, Olympia 90.5, Kentridge 76, Federal Way 62, Kentwood 61, Central Kitsap 52, Decatur 38, Curtis 31, Tahoma 25, Kent-Meridian 23, Rogers 21, Emerald Ridge 17, Auburn 16, Puyallup 14, Mount Tahoma 12, Auburn Riverside 8, Shelton 7, Foss 4, Graham Kapowsin 1.

First-place finishers and all SK state placers (top six to state): 200 medley relay: 1, Todd Beamer (Michelle Rah, Rachel Kim, Kelly Erickson, Lesley Elijah) 1:53.96. 200 freestyle: 1, Clara Heffernan (Oly) 1:55.57; 1, Nicole Hinely (SK) 1:55.57. 200 individual medley: 1, Rachel Kim (TB) 2:08.88. 50 freestyle: 1, Chelsea Bailey (KL) 23.98. 100 butterfly: 1, Hinely (SK) 58.39. 100 freestyle: 1, Amber Cratsenberg (Jef) 52.8. 500 freestyle: 1, Heffernan (Oly) 5:09.6; 3, Angela Pearson (SK) 5:23.06. 200 freestyle relay: 1, South Kitsap (Rachel Wester, Ashlee Becker, Kelsey Bagley, Hinely) 1:42.65. 100 backstroke: 1, Bailey (KL) 55.75. 100 breaststroke: 1, Taylor Indahl (GH) 1:07.86. 400 freestyle relay: 1, Kentlake (Taylor Bouffard, Sarah Dougherty, Emily Tanasse, Bailey) 3:43.28.