Eagles’ depth pays off in victory over PatriotsKingCo swimming meet brings together IST teammatesBy Bob Taylor Bradley Chi, a promising freshman for Issaquah, won the 200 freestyleFor Christian Verbrugghe and James Schuyleman, who swim year-round for the Issaquah Swim Team (IST), it was just like another intrasquad swim last Thursday in Julius Boehm Pool. However, this time they were on opposite sides. Verbrugghe, a sophomore, was swimming for Issaquah High and Schuyleman, a junior, was competing for Liberty. “It’s always fun when Liberty and Issaquah meet. So many of us swim year around together,” Schuyleman said. The past two years Schuyleman and Liberty have prevailed in this rival match. However, last Thursday, Issaquah posted a 101-85 3A KingCo Conference victory. “This is a great start for us. Usually we win just one match every season – against Interlake,” Issaquah senior Matt Sak said. “This year we should do a lot better because we have more depth. This is the biggest team we’ve had in my four years here.” The Eagles have 16 swimmers, perhaps not a huge number compared to some rival teams that have 30 or more swimmers. However, the Eagles have doubled the size of their roster from last year. Things were so tough at times last year that Issaquah coach John Skroch drafted diver Koltin Stratiner to swim some events. This year Stratiner, who finished second in diving at the 3A state meet last February, can concentrate on his specialty.“We have a good mix of young swimmers and experienced guys. This year we’re going to be more competitive,” Skroch said. “I’m hoping to send three relays to state this year.” The team, which has had just two league meets to date, is already head of schedule in its development. Verbrugghe and Jared Nelson both have already qualified for state in individual events. The 200 medley relay team, which finished first last Thursday, also qualified for state with a time of 1:44.74. Nelson, Brooks Phillips, Verbrugghe and Sak constituted the relay.Verbrugghe, who didn’t qualify for last year’s state meet until late in the season, made the standard last Thursday in the 200 individual medley. He beat out Liberty’s Kyle Rafa for first place, finishing in a state-qualifying time of 2:04.22. Rafa, who competed at state last year and has swam for IST, was second in 2:05.51. To show the camaraderie between swimmers on both teams, Schuyleman gave Verbrugghe and Rafa each “High Fives” at the end of the race.“So many of these guys have swam together in this pool for IST. They have developed pretty good friendships over the years,” Liberty coach Kris Daughters said.Nelson, another IST swimmer, and Schuyleman each won two events. Nelson, who has competed at state the past two years, won the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle. He topped Liberty’s A.J. Becker in two close races.Other Issaquah first places came from Bradley Chi in the 200 freestyle, Stratiner in diving, Phillips in the 500 freestyle and the 400 freestyle relay. Sak, Chi, Phillips and Verbrugghe made up the relay.Schuyleman, just returning to form after missing over a month because of a tonsillectomy, won the 100 butterfly in 51.94 and the 100 backstroke in 56.82. Both were state-qualifying times for Schuyleman, who finished third in the fly at last year’s state meet.“That’s my goal. To get back to state and win it this time,” said Schuyleman. “The swimmer who finished ahead of me last year graduated, so that should help me. I also think working hard will give me an edge.”Daughters, who has coached boys and girls swimming at Liberty, said Schuyleman’s potential is “unlimited.”“James is an exceptional swimmer and could go on to get a Division I scholarship,” Daughters said. “He works hard in the classroom, too. Before he could turn out for swimming he had to catch up on all the classes he missed.”Rafa avenged his earlier defeat to Verbrugghe by winning the 100 breaststroke.Schuyleman and Rafa joined the Becker brothers, Peter and A.J., on the Patriots’ winning 200 freestyle relay.Spartans split meetsSkyline, beginning its first season in 4A KingCo Conference, split its first two meets.Last Tuesday Skyline lost to Juanita 110-70. Adam Rizkalla won the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke for the Spartans. Michael Tung was first in the 100 breaststroke. Garrett Porter also took first in the diving.The previous week the Spartans cruised by Franklin 120-51. Rizkalla won the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly. He also anchored the winning 200 medley relay. Tung took first place in the 500 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke.Both Rizkalla and Tung swam on Skyline’s winning 400 freestyle relay with Steven Nyikos and Jay Farber. Related Links Content © 2005 The Issaquah Press Software © 1998-2005 1up! Software, All Rights Reserved