Kristy Tallman
The Huskies girls and boys swim team exhibited exceptional talent and dedication at the 2024 OSAA / OnPoint Community Credit Union Swimming State Championships, with standout performances marking their presence in the competition.
“In high school swim, there is no national meet. We end at States, if a swimmer hits an incredibly fast time that is set by a national committee, they can become an all-American,” explained Coach A Jay Bronson. “That being said, this is higher than we have scored in a long time, and we are incredibly proud of how everyone swam.”
The Huskies had their sights set on claiming trophies for both the girls’ and boys’ teams, with the trophy awarded to the fourth-place team. “We really were hoping for a trophy on both sides,” Bronson remarked. “The girls got 3rd, boys got 5th only by a single point. A few teams did a few things that were out of our control, and we barely missed a trophy on the guys’ side.”
Despite narrowly missing out on a trophy for the boys’ team, Bronson expressed immense pride in their achievements. “I can’t be more proud of our team and their accomplishments.”
“RJ going a 1:50 in the 200 and under 5:10 in the 500 are huge swims,” noted Bronson. “Andrew going a 1:04.1 in the backstroke is a great set up for next year.”
Peyton Markell’s 1:03.9 backstroke swim and Kirsten Sautel’s defense of her state title in the 100 breaststroke, dropping two full seconds to hit a 1:06.00, highlighted the girls’ exceptional achievements. “Not to mention Kirsten defending her state title in the 100 breast and dropping 2 full seconds and hitting a 1:06.00,” said Bronson. “We as a girls team have now won that event for four straight years between Malia Hewitt and Kirsten Sautel.”
Looking ahead, the coaching staff wasted no time in strategizing for the next season, aiming to secure victories on both the girls’ and boys’ sides of the competition. “As soon as we walked out that door and sat down for dinner that night, the coaching staff went right back to work talking about how we can improve for next year and try and win both sides of the board,” Bronson affirmed.
For these dedicated athletes and their unwavering supporters, the journey never truly ends-it simply evolves, with each stroke propelling them closer to their next triumph.
Results:
Event 2: Boys medley relay got 3rd overall – Arman Marble, Shayne Schuster, RJ Abbott, Blake Arthur
Event 3: Girls 200 Freestyle – Peyton Markell got 11th
Event 4: Boys 200 Freestyle – RJ Abbott got 4th
Event 6: Boys 200 IM – Shayne Schuster got 11th
Event 7: Girls 50 Free – Payton Brookfield got 10th
Event 8: Boys 50 Free- Blake Arthur got 4th
Event 9: Girls 100 Fly – Payton Brookfield got 12th
Event 11: Girls 100 Free – Kirsten Sautel got 3rd
Event 12: Boys 100 Free – Blake Arthur got 3rd
Event 14: Boys 500 – RJ Abbot got 4th, Arman Marble got 9th
Event 15: Girls 200 Free relay – got 3rd – Daisy LaLonde, Payton Brookfield, Lexi Rundell, Kirsten Sautel
Event 16: Boys 200 Free relay – got 7th – Shayne Schuster, RJ Abbott, Austyn Hogan, Blake Arthur
Event 17: Girls 100 Backstroke – Peyton Markel got 3rd
Event 18: Boys 100 Backstroke – Andrew Tolman got 10th
Event 19: Girls 100 Breastroke – Kirsten Sautel got 1st
Event 20: Boys 100 Breaststroke – Shayne Schuster got 6th
Event 21: Girls 400 Free Relay – Got 4th – Daisy Lalonde, Lexi Rundell, Peyton Markell, Kirsten Sautel