sports CORRESPONDENT

All hail Olympic View, a dominant power among the local four that swim from clubs close to each other - Normandy Park, Olympic View, Gregory Seahurst and Arbor Heights.

OV took second, behind Kent, in the extravaganza known as the Seattle Summer Swim League Southern Division championships of 2005.

"We had a winning season, but our team really puts it all together when it counts," said Aubrey Merrell, one of three coaches along with Zach Mueller and her brother, Andrew, who also swam for first in the 50 free style and helped bring home a close first in winning the 200 free relay.

OV went 4-3 during the regular dual meet season. So, it was right on what Aubrey, who swam well herself at Mount Rainier not too many years ago, said about the team putting others away when the season gets to the counting stage. Things count now. The top six from the southern, as well as the northern division, move on to the biggest extravaganza - all-city.

There were some impressive efforts in the water, like 8 and under boys 25 free swimmers Jacob Thurber and Alex Merrell, second and third and Albert Onstot and Jason Lemley, first and fourth, in the 12 and under 50 free. There was that kind of domination and then the fourth, fifth, sixth from Caitlin Berge, Kristen Lemley and Abby Fenster, in the 25 back in times of 21.63, 22.12, 22.54, respectively. But none more so of the impressive variety than...

"1,2,3,4," said Merrell. "That was pretty impressive."

It was, as Max Seifert, Lemley, Jon Graybill, Dillon Webster, in order took first, second, third, fourth with times of 35.41, 35.87, 36.16, 36.81, respectively, in the 12 and under 50 back.

Andrew Merrell sees why OV continues to do well following the exodus of coach Joe Fain who helped lead OV to strong seasons for several years. He and DJ Lammers and others did all that. But this year who did it?

"My sister did it," said Merrell, "along with me and Zach Mueller. I've been doing private lessons for kids."

So that glue really holds this team together, being a consistent top three finisher at the southern meet for almost all, if not all, of the last decade.

Merrell himself swam well, a 22.06 in the 50 free was first, but also a time that was right on for placing him high at all-city. Maybe to a record.

"The all city record is 21.7," said Merrell. "I have gone a 21.6 in dual meets four times this season, but I haven't found it again. I swam a little worse in prelims (22.10). So now I should be ready."

Merrell swam the 100 free and took third.

"I was a little disappointed," said Merrell, who took second in the state in high school in that race and was first, by the way, in the 50 free. So, don't worry about Merrell. He'll come around rearin' and ready to go in all his free races.

"I was trying to get top three, so maybe I was a little off because of that," said Merrell. "Now in all-city I will be give it all I have."

Aubrey Merrell also mentioned Haley Gansneder, who just missed first place by one-hundredth of a second in the 14 and under 100 free. Her time was 57.20 and Scarlett Cann of Twin Lakes was 57.19.

"She swam excellent," said Merrell.

Normandy Park again finished right behind rival OV for third place at the Southern meet.

"We took third, that is pretty good for us," said coach Jason Carr. One of the best NP efforts came from the 200 free relay team of Matt Jude, Matt Simpson, Jameson Parr, John Ester who took first in the event in 1:39.88, almost a full 10 seconds ahead of second place touching the wall in 1:49.25.

All city is this group's only conquest, having never been beaten in a race all season and beating teams by even more seconds during dual meet seasons.

"We want to get the all-city record," said Parr, who took first in the boys 14 and under 100 Individual Medley. "We are three seconds off."

"They are pretty quick," said Carr, who commented on why one could chew up a handful of jelly bellies in the time it takes for the second place team to touch the wall.

"It's a combination of four good swimmers," said Carr.

Some other very strong efforts for NP included this foursome's 200 medley relay that took first with Parr, Simpson, Ester, Jude, doing that in a time of 1:55.75. In that race they were nearly three seconds ahead of second place's 1:58.35.

First place in the boys 10 and under 100 IM belonged to Thane Maudslien in 1:19.84.

Natalie Mutter showed for second place in the girls 8 and under 50 free. Another high-up finish went to Jude, second in the boys 14 and under 100 free in 55.76. A duo of good finishes was second and third placers, Kyle Brotherton and Max Sarver, 42.12 and 42.56, in the 10 and under 50 back. Parr and Jude were second and third in the boys 14 and under 50 back in 29.48, and, 30.88. Zach Willams showed for second in the 10 and under 50 breaststroke.

Krista Beyers was third in the girls 12 and under 50 breast. Spencer Menella was second in the boys 18 and under 50 breast in 29.00. Natalie Mutter was third in the girls 25 and under fly in 19.25.

Others that swam well enough to likely get in to all city included Maggie Caetano, sixth in the 14 and under 50 free in 27.50, Curtis Strand in the boys 14 and under 50 free in 25.12 for fifth, Ricky Merrell and Ben Mitchell, 23.28, 23.44 for fourth and fifth places.

Gregory Seahurst coaches Lindsay Bjork and Brooke Johnson enjoyed their races and the fun they watched them have going through this kind of competition, even though GS wound up eighth place at this southern meet.

The best was the 18 and under relay of girls Mica Bailey, Janine Reynolds, Alyssa Stegin, Maria Rice, taking first place in 1:46.09. They were seeded fourth coming in and they went 1:46.97 in prelims.

"Very good stuff," said Gregory Seahurst coach Lindsay Bjork.

"They were excited to swim and want to go to all city. "All four had best time splits. That sets a good example for the rest of the team."

Courtney Larsen did well, getting best times in the 100IM in 1:21.93 and the 50 free in 31.25 for third, with 32.84 her prelims time, so that second and a half jump was a good sign.