Liberty High School defended their 2A State Championship this past weekend at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. Whereas last year’s time won on the strength of seven event wins, this year’s squad used their depth to overcome the field.
The only individual event winner for Liberty was senior Ellie Hohensinner, who won the 500 freestyle in 5:07.66. Liberty would also win the 400 freestyle relay to cap the meet in 3:40.09. Hohensinner swam alongside teammates Reegan Webber, Taylor Clay and Lauryn Hepp.
Liberty avenged an opening event defeat at the hands of Squalicum, who had lead off the meet with a 2A record 1:48.52 in the 200 medley Relay. That team featured Serena Allendorfer, Yanran Le, Olivia Nielsen, and Tiana Varang. The only other record set on the day was in diving, where Sammamish senior McKenna Troje finished with 394.55 points.
Makenzie Norman was a two event winner, taking both the 50 (24.22) and 100 freestyle (52.74). Pullman junior Taylor McCoy also won two, and won Swimmer of the Meet on the strength of that performance. She won the 100 backstroke in 56.45, over two seconds ahead of her closest competitor after taking the 200 IM (2:07.82) earlier in the meet. Pullman was also named swimmer of the meet her freshman year.
Other event wins on the day came from Ellensburg sophomore Krista Wilson in the 200 free (1:55.27), Archbishop Murphy senior Kaelee McCloskey in the 100 fly (58.72) and Squalicum sophomore Le in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.68). Archbishop Murphy would also win the 200 freestyle relay, with McCloskey joined by Caitlin Mitchell, Caroline Kowalchuk, and Danielle Booth.