The Kentlake girls swim team hasn’t won an SPSL North title since 2004.
That very well could change this fall. Behind Chelsea Bailey and freshman sensation Emily Tanasse, the Falcons certainly have speed to burn.
But do they have the depth to challenge Kentwood and Kentridge? A total of 30 girls turned out for this year’s team, nearly a dozen fewer than both the Chargers and Conquerors. And when it comes to winning the SPSL North, something Kentridge has accomplished the last four years, depth typically reigns supreme.
“Those teams have the luxury of spreading girls out during meets,” coach David Beyer said. “And I’ve only got one diver, which hurts. But in my era at Kentlake, this is the best team we’ve had. I am very excited for this team.”
As he should be. Because Kentlake essentially didn’t lose a single swimmer that made an impact at state a year ago, when the Falcons scored a North Division best 87 points, good for ninth place overall.
Leading the way for the Falcons is Bailey, who proved last year that she’s one of the best swimmers in the state regardless of classification. Bailey established a new state record in the 100-yard freestyle, stopping the clock in 49.82 seconds, and took home a silver medal in the 100 backstroke. She also was part of Kentlake’s bronze-winning 200 free relay, a group that also included Abby Swanson, Taylor Bouffard and Katrina Hetrick, all of whom are back this season.
For the Falcons, that’s only the beginning. They also return their entire state-qualifying 400-free relay team (Swanson, Bouffard, Jordan Middleton and Sarah Dougherty).
Throw in Tanasse, who already has served up a state-qualifying time in the 100 free, and there’s reason for excitement in the Kentlake pool.
But the biggest goal of all isn’t a North Division title, Beyer stressed.
It’s moving up at state. And the Falcons very well could climb a few spots.
“If we can get more than two in individual events to qualify for state, then there’s a good chance we can take one of the top spots at state,” Beyer said.
Meanwhile Kentwood is starting off the season on the right foot off the blocks.
The Kentwood High girls swim team did just that, opening the season on Sept. 10 with a 107-78 victory against Kentridge.
The Conquerors had not beaten the Chargers since 2002.
“We just wanted our girls to go in and have some best times,” Kentwood coach Sharon Wright said. “It was sort of surprising, sort of surreal. It just sort of happened.”
After each meet, Wright and Kentwood co-head coach Melissa York pass out small candies to the girls who established personal bests.
After the win over Kentridge, the coaches were running a bit low on the tasty tidbits.
“Not only did we win the meet, but just about every girl got candy that day,” Wright noted. “For Melissa and I, that’s what really matters.”
Leading the way for the Conquerors were Kelly Phillips and Maggie Molloy. Phillips won the 200 free with a time of 2:13.83, the 500 free in 6:12.11 and anchored Kentwood’s winning 400-free relay. Molloy won the 200 individual medley in 2:30.03, the 100 back in 1:14.54 and also was part of that winning 400 relay team.
Meanwhile, junior Erica Wright also established a new personal best in the 100 breaststroke, stopping the clock in 1:19.06.
Also collecting victories for the Conquerors were Paige Morris in the 100 fly, the 200 free relay team of Wright, Phillips, Shannelle Cayetano and Lindsey Krause, and the 400 relay team of Molloy, Phillips, Morris and Erika Panzer.
“It’s pretty cool,” Wright said. “We had a couple girls just step up and surprise us.”
Kentwood, however, wasn’t done just yet. The Conquerors proceeded to knock off Kentlake last week, 93-92. The two wins have vaulted Kentwood into the driver’s seat for the SPSL North crown.
