Colony boys, Palmer girls could make a splash in 2013

PALMER — As the Colony Knights begin their work through the regular season molding the squad they’ll take to the region championships, head coach Matt Hanley knows what it will take to contend.

The longtime Valley coach also knows what it will take to swim with region power Kodiak.

“Regions, it takes a handful of guns, and a good backup squad,” Hanley said Monday afternoon. “But you can’t perform well at regions without those thirds, fourths and fifths. It takes a lot of depth. That’s been one of Kodiak’s strengths.”

Kodiak has already displayed that depth early in the season, posting a meet-best 145 points at the Homer Invitational. Colony was second with 77 points in the meet, which was the first big opportunity to see what the region rivals have to offer.

While Colony is working on its depth, the Knights do have a handful of athletes with the ability to score major points at meets.

Alex Kessler is a reigning region champion, a winner in the 100-yard breaststroke last year. The Knights also have two other swimmers — Zach Bloom and Joseph Anderson — who qualified for state last year.

Hanley said he’s been impressed with the work of Bloom and Anderson, who competed throughout the offseason. Bloom won a pair of events at the Homer Invite, the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle.

Hanley said senior Gaven Nelson will also be key to the Knights, and Larkin Udemporn has stepped up big in the relays.

Freshman Cameron Gossett could also impress, he said.

On the girls’ side, Sierra Kinworthy — who moved to Alaska from Tennessee — has become a top swimmer.

Judging by their performance in the Homer Invite, the Palmer girls could also be right in the mix.

Like the Colony boys, the Palmer girls also have a strong group of veterans.

State qualifiers Noelle Graham, Naomi Graham, Katie Stark and Sarah Hanson have all returned. Noelle Graham is the defending region champion in the 100 butterfly.

The Moose were among three Region III teams that finished within 6.5 points at the top of the girls’ standings during the Homer Invite earlier this month. Kodiak won the event with 70 points, Soldotna finished second at 67 and Palmer was third with 63.5.

Stark won the 50 freestyle, and teamed with Naomi Graham, Noelle Graham and Hanson to post a win in the 400 freestyle relay.

After taking last weekend off, Valley teams will head back south to compete in the Kenai Invitational Friday and Saturday. Hanley said he is also taking 11 of his swimmers to Anchorage to compete in the Bartlett/Chugiak Invitational.

Local swimmers will also participate in the Soldotna Pentathlon (Sept. 27) and Seward Invitational (Oct. 11-12) in coming weeks.

The Palmer Invitational is slated for Oct. 17-19 at the Palmer Pool. Kenai Central is hosting the Region III Championships this year, Oct. 31-Nov. 2. The state championships are in Juneau.