Taylor claims fifth state title, breaks own record
By KEVIN ENDEJAN
Issaquah Reporter Staff
Nov 17 2008
Skyline junior Andie Taylor added to her impressive list of prep accomplishments Saturday afternoon, notching her fifth career state championship at the 4A state meet in Federal Way.
Taylor also broke a state record she set just a week earlier at the district meet, swimming to first place in the 200 individual medley in 1 minute, 58.23 seconds. Her previous record of 1:58.59 shattered the old record of 2:01.10.
"Andie came in ready, and she wanted to do her best," head coach Susie Miller said. "She just happened to break the state record in the process."
Taylor nearly claimed a sixth state crown, finishing just behind Kentlake's Chelsea Bailey in the 100 freestyle. Bailey, a friend of Taylor, blazed out to a fast start, but Taylor caught her down the stretch.
"I think if it were a 101-yard free, Andie would have done it," Miller said. "If you had to break it down, Andie definitely had the better second leg of the race."
Bailey, who stands at 6-foot-2, outreached Taylor at the line to win in a time of 49.82 seconds. Taylor, who stands 5-foot-9, finished with a 49.97. Both swimmers finished above the previous state record held by Bainbridge Island native Emily Silver, a participant in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Taylor claimed her first 4A title, after winning the 3A championships in the 200 and 500 freestyles the past two years.
To see a picture of Taylor competing on Saturday, click here.
Skyline sophomore Nina Zook swam to a personal best in the 200 IM, finishing in 2:09.21. Zook also took 10th in the 100 butterfly in a personal best 59.15 seconds. Meaghan O'Keefe was 10th in the 200 IM in a personal best 2:10.51.
The 200 medley relay of Kaitlyn Mark, O'Keefe, Zook and Taylor grabbed eighth in 1:56.81 and the 400 free relay of Taylor, Bronte' Pitzele, Zook and O'Keefe was ninth in 3:43.14.
Skyline earned its highest finish ever at the state meet, capturing seventh place overall with 104 points. The previous best was ninth place in 2000. Jackson won the meet with 190 points.
"The season we had was just remarkable," Miller said. "It was a tremendous effort from everyone."
Eastlake's Kinnear wins 100 fly
Eastlake freshman Katie Kinnear made a splash at her first 4A state swimming championship on Saturday, claiming first in the 100 butterfly in a personal best of 54.73 seconds.
Kinnear also claimed third in the 500 freestyle at 23.89 seconds. Fellow freshman Kara Beauchamp finished 12th in the 100 breaststroke (1:09.99) and 14th in the 200 IM (2:13.66).
Senior Monika Grinbergs was 14th in the 100 backstroke (1:03.56). The 400 freestyle relay team of Katelyn Haase, Grinbergs, Beauchamp and Kinnear took seventh in a time of 3:43.90. The Wolves finished in a tie with Shorewood for 12th place overall, with 71 points.
Issaquah's Liu takes sixth
Issaquah junior Helen Liu, who won the 2007 state title in the 50 freestyle at class 3A, finished sixth overall at the 4A meet Saturday.
Liu swam to a 24.52 in the event. She also took seventh in the 100 butterfly in a time of 58.95 seconds.
The 200 freestyle relay of Marit Borth, Emily McCuen, Molly Herman and Liu took ninth overall in 1:43.53.
Issaquah finished 22nd overall with 43 points.
Issaquah Reporter Staff Kevin Endejan can be reached at kendejan@issaquah-reporter.com or 425-391-0363, ext. 1050.- Civil
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