Wolves race to early season win vs. Eagles

By Elisha Meyer Port Orchard Independent • September 25, 2024 1:30 am
Elisha Meyer/Kitsap News Group photos Emma Hurguy enters the backstroke phase of her 200-yard individual medley race.
Elisha Meyer/Kitsap News Group photos Emma Hurguy enters the backstroke phase of her 200-yard individual medley race.

South Kitsap’s second home meet of the 2024 season ended victoriously, several Wolves logging league and district qualifying times in a 134-44 win over Graham Kapowsin.

All but two races were won by SK swimmers Sept. 24 in Port Orchard, including all three relays. A highlight was the 200-yard freestyle relay in which Azie Spiker, Sadie Fogel, Emma Hurguy and Shanna Hellewell combined for a time of 1 minute, 57.41 seconds, beating the district qualifying mark by an impressive two seconds.

Three of those four would find success in the 400 free relay as well. Spiker, Hurguy and Hellewell were joined by Emi Hughes for a district qualifying time of 4:23.43. The Wolves’ A team in the 200 medley relay, consisting of Hughes, Arianna Johnson, Kimberly Martin and Gabrielle Audet, took first place with a time of 2:15.84.

“I think we’re hitting a high point already,” SK coach Nicole Miller said. “We’ll need to drop a lot of time to hit the state qualifying times for relays…”

Miller pinpointed a handful of athletes she’s especially excited about this season, including two of her senior swimmers, Hurguy and Hellewell. Hurguy came away with wins and district qualifying times in the 100 butterfly (1:10.25) and the 400 individual medley (2:34.67) against the Eagles. “Emma is your all-around dedicated swimmer. She swims year-round, works hard and is very passionate about it,” Miller said.

While Hurguy displays endurance, Hellewell is unlocking new levels of speed. She took first in the 200 free with a league qualifying time of 2:20.20, seven seconds below her seed time and two seconds away from districts. She did get that district qualification in the 100 free, taking second in a race that was decided by just 0.19 seconds. Hellewell “has come into the season strong, sprinting faster than she’s ever gone,” Miller said.

Also recording promising marks is the junior Spiker, claiming a win and district qualification in the 100 backstroke (1:09.79) and a second-place finish and league qualification in the 50 free (28.55 seconds).

Other highlights include a win by Hughes in the 500 free and a sweep in the 100 breaststroke from league qualifiers Hughes, Fogel and Taylor Kullman. SK divers competed unopposed in the meet, but Kaili Brandon scored eight points over her seeded mark in her win.