In what has been one of the most successful seasons in recent history for South Kitsap boys swim and dive, 10 swimmers and one diver are continuing on with their season.

The South Kitsap boys swim and dive team has 11 athletes at the West Central District competition Feb. 4-6 held at the Curtis Aquatic Center.

“It’s been a great season,” head coach Cliff Rousell said. “We sent 25 guys to the Narrows League Championship last week. One of the largest contingents that I can remember.”

Rousell has been South Kitsap’s head coach for nearly 10 years now. He started as a volunteer, getting involved in club swimming and helping run meets for the high school.

“My kids got in to the swimming program when they were freshmen in junior high,” he said. “Ever since then, I’ve been involved in helping run meets.”

That later evolved to him helping with strength and conditioning, technical training during the water and diving practices.

“One thing led to another, and here I am,” he said.

This season has produced one of the largest numbers of swimmers turning out during Rousell’s time as coach. Fifty-two swimmers joined this season and participated, making the Wolves a tough team to contend with.

The team finished with an overall record of 4-3 on the season, with several swimmers constantly beating their personal bests. During the Narrows League tournament, South Kitsap placed fourth overall with 165 points.

Junior Dylan Macabitas won the Narrows League title for 100 back for the third year in a row, and has already produced state-qualifying times for the 100 back and 200 free, in which he finished in second place at the district tournament.

With South Kitsap moving to the SPSL next season, Rousell is bummed that Macabitas won’t be able to finish a four-year sweep in this particular league.

“With the move, Dylan won’t get to finish off with four straight Narrows League titles,” Rousell said. “We were groaning about that.”

Jason Gleason, who has also qualified for state, will be competing in the diving competition this weekend. The junior won the Narrows League Conference title for the second straight year with 338.25 points.

“It’s been a very, very fun year, a good year,” Rousell said. “We’ve made a lot of progress and development, and experienced a lot of events as a team.”

To prepare for the upcoming tournament, the swimmers who haven’t reached state standards are going through a tapered workout.

“It’s not the normal grinding workout through the course of the season,” Rousell said. “We try and see if we can pick up more speed going into this level of playoffs.”

The relay teams that have qualified have consistently put up strong performances, and Rousell has high hopes for them coming in to the weekend.

“We’re hopeful all the relays qualified for districts will move on to state,” he said. “The two relays are in a decent position to move on. And with that being the case, I’d love to get those positioned into the state tournament.”

To help with this goal, the team is working on relay exchanges to get the right chemistry and composition of individuals.

“Our practice is upbeat, the tempo is good and the speed is there,” he said. “The finishing touches is the technical aspect.”

The tournament takes place at the Curtis Aquatic Center Feb. 4-6 beginning at 10 a.m.

With several swimmers for the Wolves being veterans of the playoff atmosphere, Rousell has high hopes for the team.

“This is the first time for a few of them,” Rousell said.

“It’s an exciting time for the guys, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

West Central District Competitors

SWIMMING

Giacomo Bressanello, junior:

Medley Relay,  100 Breast.

At NLC, he finished sixth in the 100 Breast.

Wyatt Coffin, senior:

Medley Relay, 200 Free Relay.

Troy Conrad, sophomore:

200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay.

Gabe Idle, senior:

200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay.

Andrew Johnson, sophomore:

200 Medley Relay, 100 Back.

At NLC, he finished in fifth place in the 100 Back.

Nils Johnson, senior:

200 Individual Medley, 100 Fly, 400 Free Relay.

At NLC, he placed sixth in the 100 Fly.

Dylan Macabitas, junior:

200 Free, 100 Back, 200 Medley Relay, 200 Free Relay.

At NLC, he placed second in the 200 Free and earned his third straight title in the 100 Back.

Matthew Martin, junior:

200 Medley Relay, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay.

Simon Martin, junior:

200 Individual Medley, 100 Fly, 200 Free Relay.

At NLC, he finished in fourth in the 100 Fly.

Andrei Obnial, sophomore:

400 Free Relay.

DIVING

Jason Gleason, junior:

At NLC, he won the title for the second straight year.

*NLC: Narrows League Championships