BHS swimmers dominating on road to state

With a reloaded roster full of experienced underclassmen, the Bainbridge girls swim program has lofty hopes for the 2021 swim season.

It’s been two years since they last competed at the 3A state meet, finishing in third place in 2019. There are a few holdovers from that group, but the team is brimming with new faces who have already performed at high levels.

“I think our girls are looking good to do really well at state,” Bainbridge co-head coach Kristine Cox said.

The Spartans took on a top 3A contender last week, Lakeside of Seattle, and took that meet 107-78, winning eight of 12 events with major contributions coming from the aforementioned youngsters. Bainbridge also racked up several 3A state-qualifying times.

Among the highlights were freshman Sammy Segerson getting a state time in the 200 freestyle, winning a close race with a time of 1:58.54; sophomore Kathryn Houseman taking top honors in the 200 individual medley with a 2:09.61 finish (another 3A state time); Sophie Segerson picking up a state-qualifying time of 5:15.62 in the 500-yard freestyle; Alexa McDevitt’s state-qualifier 1:00.54 in the 100-yard backstroke; and Houseman’s 100-yard breaststroke victory with a 3A-qualifying 1:07.35 mark.

Bainbridge also won one of the three relays, but picked up two more state times in the process. The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Emma Solseng, Houseman, Uma Pal and Margaret Hayes was victorious with a time of 1:42.70. The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Tierney Lenahan, Solseng, McDevitt and Piper Majors finished second, but also got a state berth with a time of 3:43.74.

On Tuesday, the Spartans returned to league meets with a tri-meet against North Kitsap and Kingston. Bainbridge handily defeated North Kitsap 152-31 and Kingston 153-16, taking first place in every race despite most swimmers participating in something other than their main event.

McDevitt picked up another state time, completing the 200 IM in 2:12.40, and also won the 100-yard freestyle. McDevitt, Soleseng, Hayes and Maya Geddes swam to victory in the 200-yard medley relay; Sophie Segerson finished first in the 200-yard free; Solseng took home top honors in the 50 free; Bryn Tiernan was the top diver with a score of 187.15 points; Sammy Segerson notched wins in the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke; Houseman won the 500-yard freestyle; and Anna Tuinukuafe took first in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Bainbridge swept the remaining relays as well, as Solseng, Houseman, Majors and Hayes won the 200-yard free relay, and Houseman, Majors, Hayes and Segerson won the 400-yard freestyle relay.

The Spartans return to action Tuesday when they take on another top 3A team, Mercer Island.

“The girls are excited for the bus ride,” Cox said with a laugh. “We’re excited for the swimming.”