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Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Former Issaquah swimming standout has successful homecoming as coachWednesday, December 24, 2003By Greg FarrarLeslie Mix, a former Issaquah High standout, gives her Anacortes boys swim team some instructions during last Thursday's meet at Boehm Pool. By Bob Taylor Former Issaquah High standout Leslie Mix had many great moments in Julius Boehm Pool as evidenced by the numerous times her name appears on the Issaquah Swim Team record board. Last Thursday Mix had another good day, this time as coach, when her Anacortes boys swimming team defeated the host Eagles 100-78.
"It feels good to be back," Mix said before the meet began. Members of her team knew Mix had an incredible collegiate background as a swimmer at the University of Tennessee where she earned 11 All-America honors and set school records. One or two of her swimmers knew that Mix had been a state champion in high school, too. However, most of the team didn't realize that Mix's career began in Boehm Pool. Many were awestruck when they saw the records on the wall.
"When we got in here, we looked at the wall and there was Leslie's name up there. Some of us were kind of surprised," Anacortes team captain Ethan Apter said. "We knew she was a good swimmer. It was great to see what she did before she went on to college."
Mix, who coached for IST before going to Anacortes two years ago, still has that knack for winning. Under her coaching, Anacortes won its first district boys title last year and sent a team to state for the first time.
"She's a great coach," Apter said. "We're lucky to have her." Before the meet, Mix exchanged hugs with IST members, some who once swam for her.
Mix and Issaquah coach John Skroch scheduled the nonleague meet last fall at the girls 3A state championship meet.
"Leslie was looking for a nonleague meet and we had an opening," Skroch said.
Although Skroch's Eagles came up short on the final score, they actually had eight first places out of 12 events. However, Anacortes won because it had more depth.
"We had a pretty good meet considering Anacortes had twice as many swimmers as we had," said Skroch, who suited up just eight swimmers for the meet.
Low turnouts have hampered Issaquah in recent years.
"We're trying to get more guys out but it's not easy," said sophomore Jared Nelson.
Nelson, who competed in last year's state meet, had two first places and swam on two winning relays. He had 3A Sea-King District-qualifying times in the '0 freestyle (5:17.68) and the 200 individual medley (2:07.12.). The '0 was one of the best races in the meet. Nelson, normally a sprinter, battled Anacortes' Kevin Thomas for most of the race. Then at the bell lap, Nelson pulled away to beat Thomas, who was second in 5:18.62.
Christian Verbrugghe, Matt Sak and Brooks Phillips also had first places. Verbrugghe won the 100 backstroke with a district-qualifying time (58.80). Sak was first in the 100 breaststroke with a district-qualifying time (1:09.80) and Phillips won the 200 freestyle. The three swimmers joined Nelson on the winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays.
Koltin Stratiner, who competed in last year's state meet, won the diving with 237.15 points.
"For a small team, we're getting some pretty good efforts," Skroch said. "Our medley relay is getting real close to qualifying for state. Jared and Christian will qualify in individual events."
Eagles swim by SaintsOn Tuesday, Issaquah evened its 3A Kingco Conference record at 1-1 with a 79-68 victory over Interlake. The Eagles had 11 first places. Nelson won the 100 butterfly in a state-qualifying time (54.93) and won the 100 breaststroke with a district-qualifying time (1:09.71). Verbrugghe had district-qualifying times in winning the 200 freestyle (2:02.81) and the '0 freestyle (5:21.81). Brooks Phillips captured the 200 individual medley with a district-qualifying time (2:22.68) and the 100 backstroke. Sak had district-qualifying times in winning the ' freestyle (24.73) and the 100 freestyle (55.94). Stratiner captured the diving with 238.15 points. The Eagles also won the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay.
Patriots win firstLiberty evened its Kingco record at 1-1 Thursday by cruising past Interlake 120-33.
James Schuyleman and Kyle Rafa, who swam at last year's state meet, each had two first places.
Schuyleman won the '0 freestyle (5:04.56) and the 100 breaststroke (1:09.12). Rafa took the 100 butterfly (57.85) and the 100 backstroke (1:00.56). Schuyleman also swam a leg on Liberty's winning 200 medley relay (1:'.20). The Patriots also swept the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays. Other first places came from Eric Borsvold in the 200 freestyle and Stephen Larson in the diving.
Spartans splitSkyline split two meets last week. The Spartans walloped Lindbergh of Renton 101-69 in a nonleague meet on Tuesday, then lost to Bellevue 125-55 in a league meet on Thursday.
Peter Wicklund, who won two titles at last year's state meet, and Michael Tung, a promising freshman, each had two first places in the meet with Lindbergh.
Wicklund had state-qualifying times in capturing the 100 butterfly (54.12) and the 100 backstroke (54.84). Tung won the 200 individual medley (2:11.87) and the 100 breaststroke (1:07.12). Erin Flanagin captured the ' freestyle (25.62). Wicklund swam on two winning relays, anchoring the 400 freestyle relay and swimming a leg on the 200 medley relay. Skyline also won the 200 freestyle relay. Tung swam on the 200 medley and the 200 freestyle relays.
In the Bellevue meet, Wicklund had state-qualifying times as he won the 100 freestyle (48.') and the 100 backstroke (55.80). Tung won the 100 breaststroke (1:07.96).
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Former Issaquah swimming standout has successful homecoming as coach 
