Southeast swim teams stroke to Ketchikan for region championships
- Klas Stolpe
- Oct 29
- 11 min read
Juneau-Douglas, Sitka, Wrangell and Craig ready to challenge Kayhi
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé swim and dive team is looking to expand on their run of girls’ Region V swim championships this weekend at Ketchikan, and the Crimson Bears boys are hoping to stop the run of Kings boys’ titles at two.
“For the swimmers, we have one group that is tapering for regions specifically and another group we’re tapering more for state,” JDHS head coach Carole Triem said. “They were all looking very sharp this morning at practice. Amber (assistant coach Amber Kelly) and I feel like they’re ready and we’re expecting some really fast swims this weekend…I’m probably most excited about our relays. Both the boys and girls have relays ranked really highly in the state for the season.”
Relays are crucial to start the momentum of both the region and state championships (200 medley), ignite the passions as the meet winds down (200 freestyle relay) and often decide the team titles with the final event of the day (400 free relay).
The first-place relay team from each of the four conference championships (Cook Inlet, Mid Alaska, Northern Lights and Southeast) qualify for the state championships along with the next four best times across the four regions, for a total of eight teams.
The JDHS girls hold the fastest 400 free relay time across the state this season with three minutes 46.77 seconds, the second-fastest 200 free relay at 1:42.43 (1. Eagle River 1:41.54) and second-fastest 200 medley relay at 1:49.75 (1. ER 1:48.83).
The JDHS boys have the second-fastest 400 free relay with 3:22.05 (1. Colony 3:21.59; 3. Sitka 3:22.86; 4. Ketchikan 3:24.48), second-fastest 200 medley relay with 1:40.63 (1. COL 1:40.01; 4. KTN 1:42.04; 6. SIT 1:43.21) and the fifth-fastest 200 free relay with 1:32.04 (1. COL 1:30.92; 2. SIT 1:31.67).
The first-place finisher from each individual conference championship event qualifies for state, along with the next 12 best times across the four regions for a total of 16 swimmers in each event. An athlete can compete in two individual events and two relays.
The Crimson Bears boys region swim roster includes seniors Clive Mateo and Vincent Hayes, juniors Ben Pallenberg, Chedi Giron, Gabe Aldrich, Josh Edwards, Kaden Aldrich and Sam Pallenberg, sophomores Axel Boily and Liam Kiessling, and freshmen Henry Thatcher, Keagan Andrews and Levi Phelps.
Kiessling has the fastest 100 back time in the state with 54.52, the 12th-fastest 100 fly in 56.68 (1. Chugiak, Blake Fazio 50.80; 14. Phelps 57.45; 16. K. Aldrich 58.09) and the 16th-fastest 50 free with 23.11 (1. COL Iver Gates 21.70).
Edwards has the third-fastest 100 breaststroke in 1:02.79 (1. KTN Evan Dash 1:00.72), fourth-fastest 200 individual medley in 2:02.68 (1. CHG Fazio 1:57.62; 6. Kiessling 2:03.75; 9. K. Aldrich 2:05.77; 15. Phelps 2:11.30) and seventh-fastest 200 free in 1:51.08 (1. CHG Fazio 1:43.31; 12. K. Aldrich 1:52.77; 16. Kiessling 1:54.26). K. Aldrich has the 12th-fastest 100 free with 49.61 (1. CHG Fazio 47.67).
The JDHS girls roster includes seniors Deedee Mills and Valerie Peimann, juniors Amy Liddle, Avery Smith, Bailey Fisher, Kaelyn Szefler, Kennedy Miller, Lily Francis, Maddox Rasmussen and Riley Soboleff, sophomores Delphine Hochstoeger and Mae Crocker, and freshmen Annabelle Woodruff, Brook Taintor, Cora Soboleff, Hannah Plang, Katya Foy and Maddie Manlulu.
Peimann has the state’s fastest 100 breast with 1:08.37 (2. Liddle 1:08.58; 9. Miller 1:12.38; 12. C. Soboleff 1:13.74), the second-fastest 200 free with 1:57.17 (1. ER Lelaina Trembath 1:56.79; 4. Liddle 1:58.38; 7. Francis 2:03.81; 10. C. Soboleff 2:04.89) and the third-fastest 100 back in 59.45 (1. ER Keira Gust 58.87; 5. Liddle 1:01.45; 9 Mills 1:03.03; 10. Francis 1:03.22).
Liddle has the fastest 200 IM in 2:10.28 (3. Peimann 2:13.28; 11. Francis 2:19.53), the second-fastest 500 free in 5:16.58 (1. ER Trembath 5:10.11; 12. C. Soboleff 5:39.39), second-fastest 100 fly in 57.98 (1. ER Reese Woodward 56.62; 6. Francis 1:02.26; 7. Peimann 1:02.75; 11. Miller 1:02.93; 12. Woodruff 1:03.05; 14. Smith 1:03.05; 15. Szefler 1:04.42) and third-fastest 100 free with 54.31 (1. Woodward 53.61; 4. Peimann 54.36; 9. Francis 55.60; 10. Mills 55.72).
Francis has the second-fastest 50 free with 24.83 (1. ER Woodward 24.67; 4. Peimann 25.50; 14. Liddle 25.66; 15. Mills 25.73).
JDHS senior diver Taylor Mesdag and juniors Moira Bahn, Adeline Williams, Alex Davis and Easton Berger will try to be among the top two divers from each conference championship plus the next eight best scores across the four regions to qualify for state.
“The divers are ready to execute their 11 dives at regions this weekend,” JDHS dive coach Savona Kiessling said. “They are looking great. Some have new dives they are throwing so we are working on getting those competition-ready.”
Berger has the fifth-highest boys score in the state with 196.50 (1. Service, Reubin Williams 402.15; 8. Davis 113.10). Bahn has the eighth-highest girls' score with 168.05 (1. COL Claire Wallstrum 442.25; 10. Mesdag 159.75; 12. Williams 131.05).
The Kayhi Kings feature the region’s top male diver in senior Liam Woodward (state No. 2 with 242.80) and his well-known swimming classmates Evan Dash, Gavin Harold, JP Robbins and Aiden Eldridge for the boys and Ella Bullock for the girls.
“Those individuals have been competing for Kayhi for some time now,” Ketchikan head coach Zachery Trudeau said. “And doing really well for Kayhi. It’s bittersweet because you want these young adults to move on and really kind of spread their wings and get outside the community a little bit to really showcase how we have helped them grow. But in another sense you are, ‘Man, I wish I had another year with these guys. Maybe one more year of strong swimming we could do something even better.’ I am excited to watch them swim…And super excited to see what Liam can do on that board and perform well enough to maybe shoot for something pretty high at state.”
Kayhi divers include Merrill (11. 134.00) and Calvin (13. 118.60) for the girls, and freshman Jett Miller (6. 156.95) for the boys.
"Mostly I tell them this is their chance to showcase all of their dives or 11 of their best if they have more than 11," Kayhi dive coach Eryn Brooks said. "By the time we reach regions I don't tend to have them try new dives unless they need a new dive for their line ups. We focus on polishing up the dives they have and working with the dives in the order they will perform them at regions. By throwing their dives in order it makes them more comfortable when they are in the spotlight. I also tell them to just have fun because if they aren't having fun at this point why did they put in all the work."
Also swimming for Kayhi are junior boys Parker Hagan and Max Meredith, sophomore Nathaniel Duran and freshman Hunter Eckert.
Kayhi girls include juniors Piper Bonzo, Lina Merrill and Raine Wagner, sophomores Macie Bullock and Ellie Johnson, and freshmen Mia Calvin and Josie Jackson.
Dash has the fastest 100 breast time in the state with 1:00.72 (4. Harold 1:03.03; 16. Meredith 1:06.66), second-fastest 100 fly in 52.77, ninth-fastest 100 free in 49.29 (15. Hagan 50.13), 11th-fastest 50 free in 22.54 and 14th-fastest 200 free in 1:53.91.
Harold has the second-fastest 100 back in 55.87 (7. Dash 56.85; 15. Hagan 58.95) and 10th-fastest 200 IM in 2:06.28. Robbins has the 11th-fastest 500 free in 5:14.06 (12. Harold 5:16.71).
“The biggest challenge for us is just making sure that everyone is prepared, starting with the freshmen; it’s their first time getting at it,” Trudeau said. “High school swimming is a different bag of beans than club swimming. There is a lot more team camaraderie and things like that. So starting with the young guys, just showing them the ropes, is probably one of the biggest challenges."
"I don’t get nervous for the swim meets. I get nervous for practices. I want to make sure at practice that I have these guys and girls tuned to their peak and when we get to a swim meet it is all on those guys. I think they practiced from the beginning of the season, whether dry land training or in the pool, mentally and physically to be ready to perform at this stage in their home pool. Practice makes you a better swimmer and these guys have practiced enough to be the best swimmers they can be."
"JDHS has so many pieces that they can shift around and move to potentially win state for some of these things, whether it be the girls or the boys. It gets really interesting when you have a powerhouse like JD coming down. I just have to put the best team out there and see what happens. But I’m excited to see the individual races for a lot of the seniors because this is like their going-out moment.”
Ketchikan may have one advantage.
“We do get to sleep in our own beds,” Trudeau said. “That is the best part. We try to be as hospitable as possible when other teams are coming down. I think that is one of the best parts about it. To showcase some fast swims and things like that but also showcasing Ketchikan’s hospitality and friendliness. At the end of the day, yes, we want to swim fast, but we are just trying to make good, wholesome people…One of the best parts of hosting a meet is, ‘Hey, come to our house, we’re going to have a good time, we’re going to swim fast and at the end of the day we’re going to invite you into our homes.’”
The Sitka Wolves feature a girls team represented by senior Mia Turner, junior Taryn Fleming, sophomore Evelyn Rice, and freshmen Deliah Clark, Ruby Dunn and Aela McCarthy.
The Sitka boys include juniors Corin Colliver, Elliott Galanin, Zachary Martens and James Nellis, sophomores Erick Chevalier, Phineas Edwards and Thomas McCarthy, and freshmen Gus Becker, Odin Emley, Wyatt Kirkness and Jake Peterson.
“High school swimming comes down to region meets and the state meet,” Sitka head coach Robby Jarvill said. “The invites and dual meets are really just a fancy practice where the athletes get to race and be in that swim meet atmosphere. So the 12-week swim season really comes down to region champs for some swimmers or state champs for others.”
Martens has the fifth-fastest 500 free in the state with 4:58.53 (16. P. Edwards 5:20.99), sixth-fastest 200 free with 1:49.86 (8. McCarthy 1:51.29; 9. Colliver 1:51.46), seventh-fastest 200 IM in 2:04.03, ninth-fastest 100 breast in 1:04.59, and 12th-fastest 100 back in 58.75.
T. McCarthy has the sixth-fastest 100 fly in 55.34 (10. Colliver 56.46), eighth-fastest 100 free with 49.01 (11. Colliver 49.35; 16. Martens 50.56), and ninth-fastest 50 free in 22.45 (13. Colliver 22.59).
Fleming has the seventh-fastest girls 100 back in 1:02.63, eighth-fastest 500 free in 5:30.52, ninth-fastest 200 free in 2:04.23, 13th-fastest 100 fly in 1:03.12, 13th-fastest 200 IM in 2:19.71, and 15th-fastest 100 free in 56.56. Rice has the 15th-fastest 100 breast in 1:15.16
“I am happy with where my swimmers are heading into regions,” Jarvill said. “They are a year older and more mature. They have been working hard, and now it’s time to feel good and race. I expect the athletes that are supposed to make it to state to make it, and there are always a few breakout swims that will surprise you as a coach, and those ones are fun.”
Sitka has the second-fastest boys 200 relay time of 1:31.67, third-fastest 400 relay in 3:22.86 and sixth-fastest 200 medley relay in 1:43.21.
The Wrangell Wolves feature senior Johanna Sanford, sophomore Amura Roger and freshman Arabella Nore for the girls, and junior Andrei Bardin-Siekawitch and sophomore Peter Houser for the boys.
“We all set goals for this,” Wrangell head coach Victoria Houser said. “We are fairly reasonable about it. We don’t believe that anybody is going to make it to state this year but it is great experience to go and compete and see what it takes to go to state and hopefully that is really going to get these athletes excited about working hard to just try and improve their own abilities, their own scores, and then try hard again next year."
"There has been a lot of energy in the swim program. Hopefully athletes that are graduating are going to come back and help out and lead the next generation of swimmers. I think there is hope for the future and a lot of propeller behind them...Swim is so fun because you swim with the same group and we are all looking forward to seeing our friends and cheering each other on. I am looking forward to seeing all the other coaches and all the great athletes that are going to show their best.”
The Craig Panthers feature a boys roster of seniors Isaiah McCoy and Joseph Wilson, juniors Payton McCoy and Lincoln Bergtold and freshman Liam McCoy. The girls include juniors Abigail McCoy and Kailee Stock and freshman Grace Maygren.
"Alaska high school swimming regional championships represent the spirit, dedication and teamwork of the Craig High School swim team,” Craig head coach Mandy Griffin said. “It's a proud moment to showcase our hard work and passion, forging memories that will last a lifetime and inspiring us to swim even stronger in the future."
Petersburg had not responded to interview requests at the time of this posting and their region roster was not available. The Vikings have the ability to shake up the individual standings as they return athletes from state last season, including defending 100 breaststroke champion Lexie Tow (1:07.68) from the eighth-place girls team and brother Logan Tow from the 12th-place boys.
Lexie Tow has the fifth-fastest 100 breast in the state this year with 1:09.65, sixth-fastest 100 free with 55.50, 10th-fastest 200 IM in 2:19.04, and 12th-fastest 50 free with 25.59.
Logan Tow has the fourth-fastest 200 free with 1:48.23, sixth-fastest 500 free in 5:04.16, eighth-fastest 50 free with 22.20, ninth-fastest 100 back in 57.89, and 10th-fastest 100 free in 49.33. Bella Miller has the 14th-fastest 500 free in 5:42.08.
The Southeast Conference Region V Swim and Dive Championships begin Friday and run through Saturday at Ketchikan’s Gateway Aquatic Center.
The Crimson Bears have not swept both the girls' and boys' region championships since 2021. The JDHS boys won regions in ’22, the Thunder Mountain girls won in ’22 and repeated in ’23. The KTN boys won in ’23 and ’24. The JDHS girls won regions last year with the now-defunct TMHS athletes on board. Prior to the 2020 COVID-modified season JDHS has won 24 boys team titles and 35 girls, Ketchikan 11 boys and eight girls, Sitka six boys and four girls, and Petersburg and TMHS two boys team titles apiece.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@gmail.com.
