Falcons flying into postseason / Swimming

Four of South Whidbey High School’s six swimmers have earned district qualifying times so far this season.

Since South Whidbey does not have an official swim team, the Falcons train and compete with Kamiak High School.

Junior Ashley Lynch, who finished 13th in the state 200 last fall, has posted district qualifying times in all eight events (50-, 100-, 200- and 500-yard freestyles; 200 individual medley; 100 backstroke; 100 butterfly; and 100 breaststroke), while freshman Parker Forsyth has qualified in all but the 100 backstroke, according to Kamiak coach Chris Erickson.

Junior Katie Zundel has posted district times in five events (200 and 500 freestyles; 200 IM; 100 butterfly; and 100 backstroke) and freshman Abigail Ireland met district standards in three events (50, 100 and 200 freestyles).

Junior Sarah Zundel and freshman Devin King are close in several events and have three more meets to qualify for the postseason, which begins with the district meet Nov. 8 and 9 in Anacortes.

Lynch said she is grateful that Kamiak accommodates the South Whidbey swimmers, adding that training with a 4A school pushes the Falcons to better times.

Erickson lauded the Falcons’ dedication, noting the one-hour trip each way to Kamiak the South Whidbey athletes make each day for practice.

“The new ones (freshmen) have improved more dramatically,” he added. “The vets are preparing to do their best at the end of the season.”

The Falcons most recently competed Thursday, Oct. 17, when Kamiak traveled to Snohomish in a battle of two of the area’s top 4A programs. The Panthers won 99-87.

Lynch led the Falcons by finishing fourth in two events (200-yard freestyle, 2:12.73; 500 free, 6:09.63).

Forsyth (1:12.68) and Katie Zundel (1:14.21) went 5-6 in the 100 butterfly. Katie Zundel was also sixth in the 100 backstroke (1:13.76), and Forsyth placed seventh in the 100 breaststroke (1:20.8).

Ireland (1:07.44), King (1:16.32) and Sarah Zundel (1:18.55) finished 10-12-15 in the 100 freestyle.

Sarah Zundel added a 10th in the 100 breaststroke (1:31.23), and King was 14th in the 50 free (34.31).

Lynch, Forsyth, Katie Zundel and Ireland took fifth in the 200 medley relay (2:15.86), and Forsyth, Ireland, Lynch and King were sixth in the 200 free relay (2:05.71).

Kamiak hosts Mountlake Terrace at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Abigail Ireland anchors the South Whidbey 200-medley relay team.(Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Abigail Ireland anchors the South Whidbey 200-medley relay team. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Parker Forsyth swims to fifth place in the 100-yard butterfly. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Parker Forsyth swims to fifth place in the 100-yard butterfly. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Devin King swims in the 100 freestyle at Snohomish.(Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Devin King swims in the 100 freestyle at Snohomish. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Sarah Zundel swims for the Falcons in the 100 breaststroke.(Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Sarah Zundel swims for the Falcons in the 100 breaststroke. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Ashley Lynch earns the fourth-best time in the 500 freestyle.(Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Ashley Lynch earns the fourth-best time in the 500 freestyle. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)