Marysville schools split against Mariner

Boys swim teams from Marysville-Pilchuck and Marysville Getchell split against Mariner High School May 21.

The Chargers topped Mariner 68-66 while the Tomahawks came up short 78-38.

“They’ve been working hard, and you could see that today,” said Meredith Jenks, who is the head coach for both Marysville-Pilchuck and Marysville Getchell boys swim teams. Both teams compete separately.

She added that two brothers for Marysville Getchell, Eli and Andrew Christensen, placed first and second in the 50-meter freestyle. “It’s fun to see them race together.”

Marysville Getchell’s Aiden Barnett placed third in the 50-meter freestyle.

Marysville Getchell junior Lalu Laoh dropped six seconds in the 50-meter freestyle. “That’s really fantastic for a brand-new guy,” Jenks said.

Jenks said Andrew Christensen wants to break Marysville Getchell’s school record in the 500-meter freestyle. “He’s just a few seconds off,” She said. During the May 21 meet against Mariner, he swam 5:38. A week earlier against Monroe, he swam 5:37.

During the May 14 meet where both teams faced Monroe at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. During that meet, Marysville-Pilchuck’s Andrew Kallio broke his own school record in the 1-meter dive. Jenks said Kallio was the WIAA State Athlete of the week.

Then, during a dive competition at Kamiak High School May 22, he qualified for All-American consideration, said Shauna Kopischka, dive coach for both Marysville high schools.

“His goal is to break records,” Kopischka said of the senior diver.

During the dive meet Saturday, Marysville Getchell diver Nate Huh-Orrantia’s performance would’ve have qualified him for state this year, Kopischka said.

Due to the pandemic, post-season play during the school year in all sports has been canceled. Swimming, which is normally a winter sport, is taking place during the end of the school year with a shortened season.

The May 14 meet saw Monroe top both the Chargers and Tomahawks.

Marysville Getchell has 21 swimmers competing while Marysville-Pilchuck has eight swimmers.

Kopischka said the focus for the season is to give the athletes something that they can attach too. “Kids really felt connected again.”

The Marysville schools host Lake Stevens May 28 at Marysville-Pilchuck High School and the divers travel to Kamiak on May 29.