Swimming
Tue, 12/12/2006
Big talent available for Beaver varsity boys team
By Dean Wong
Forty-two Beavers were seen splashing around the Ballard Pool last week and it's an indication of the growth of the Ballard High School boys team in recent years.
Head Coach Michael Bruesch is counting on some new swimmers to blend their talents with returning varsity talent for another successful year in KingCo.
Bruesch is now in his fourth season leading the Beaver program and has built up the depth of the team to keep the program swimming at a high level.
Gabe Pratt and Brian Absher have graduated. Josh Friedman decided to concentrate on acting with the Drama Program this winter.
"Losing those three guys hurts a little," said Bruesch.
There are plenty of fast swimmers left.
"We have a big talent pool to draw on. We are looking solid with more veteran depth," said Bruesch.
"We are not losing any of our state qualifiers so that helps," said Bruesch.
Perry Sharify is back. Last year Sharify finished 13th in 200 IM and seventh in the 100 breast at state. All six swimmers who finished ahead of him in the 100 breast have graduated, leaving Sharify an opportunity to be the best in the state in that event. Sharify was selected by USA Swimming as a "Scholastic All-American" this year. He has a 3.8 grade point average.
Shane Levine went to state in the 200 free and just missed a qualifying time in the 100 free.
Both 200 free (Jeff King, Sharify, Friedman, Pratt) and 200 medley relay teams (Pratt, Levine, Sharify, Andrew Eastman) went to state.
Diver Nick Tsagalakis also went to state. Tsagalakis came on strong last season with wins against Garfield and Roosevelt.
In addition, the Beavers are counting on Eastman, Dylan Walker, Josh Jaeger, Dana Haram and King. Mike Simmons, a freshman last year, went to districts in the 50 and 100 free.
Eastman had a break out season in 2005, dropping his personal times to become one of the fastest swimmers for Ballard.
A year ago the team stayed together during the winter break in December and that helped the Beavers overcome illnesses and injuries.
"We have a lot of juniors and seniors that have to step up for us," said Bruesch.
The team's divers are being counted on to score a lot of points this season.
"In a lot of meets, they will be the difference between winning and losing," said Bruesch.
The rest of the 2007 schedule:
Friday, Dec. 15, Woodinville at Ballard Pool
Friday, Jan. 5, Garfield at Medgar Evers Pool
Friday, Jan. 12, Redmond at Ballard Pool
Tuesday, Jan. 16, Inglemoor at Northshore Pool
Friday, Jan. 19, Franklin at Rainier Beach Pool
Tuesday, Jan. 23, Lake Washington at Ballard Pool
Friday, Jan. 26, Bothell at Northshore Pool