Palmer earns first trophy in nearly 20 years

PALMER — Grabbing points in key races Oct. 7 and 8 in Valdez at the Valdez Invitational led Palmer to the school’s first swimming victory in nearly 20 years.

“This weekend went really smooth, no kinks. I was really proud,” head coach Christine Morgan told the team at practice the Monday afternoon following the weekend win.

The team of 30 swam their way to enough points to win both the boys and girls top finishes, leading them to the combined team title. Strengths for the team lie in the 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly and the girls’ 200 yard medley relay.

On the girl’s side, sophomores Noelle Graham and Willow Schlenker were key in gaining the school points. Friday and Saturday, Graham placed first and second respectively in the 100 fly, and second on Saturday’s 200 individual medley. Schlenker nabbed first-place finishes on the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM. Sophomore Katie Stark was also key, placing in first in Saturday’s 200-yard freestyle and 100 backstroke, and second in the 100 freestyle. Graham, Schlenker and Stark played a big role in the girl’s A-team medley relay finishing second on Saturday with a 2:08.35, just two-tenths of a second behind Valdez for the top spot.

For the boys, freshmen Zach Bloom and Sam Haney, and seniors Evan McHenry and Spencer Bloom drove the number of point-earning finishes high. Zach Bloom took third in the 200 free on Friday and second in the same event Saturday. Haney claimed second in the 200 IM on Friday and third in the 100 breaststroke on Saturday. Evan McHenry is known for his skill in freestyle, and that showed in the dual meet. On Friday, he claimed second in the 50 freestyle and third in the 100 freestyle. He placed fourth and third in the same events Saturday. Spencer Bloom blazed to first in the 100 freestyle on Friday and first in the 50 freestyle on Saturday, as well as first in the 100 backstroke both days; his best time was 1:00.88.

Senior Bloom also received the invite’s award for Most Valuable Swimmer, recognizing his consistent high level performance through both days of the meet. Saturday’s first-place finish in the 100 backstroke gave him a place over his younger brother, Zach, as well as friendly bragging rights. When asked if he’s ready for regional competition, Bloom nods.

“I’m just shooting for that 22 on my 50 and under a minute on my 100 back. I just want to show people I can do it; make Palmer proud,” he said.

The same team pride is shown across all members of the team. The seniors and freshmen of the team are enjoying the victory, as neither group has seen the team win a trophy before. The last time Palmer placed first in a meet to receive a trophy was in the mid-1990s.

“I think with our goal setting and our drive to perform and do well, all our hard work, is paying off,” coach Morgan said.

This past weekend, Palmer played host to 14 teams from around Region III at the Valley Invitational, an intense three-day competition set up to get the athletes ready for the ultimate competition at regions, which will also be held at Palmer High School this year. The Valley Invite shifted the Palmer boys into sixth place overall, and the girls at seventh overall. The athletes are looking forward to regions, though. Sophmore Kiersten Johnson already has competition buzz.

“If our winning the trophy (in Valdez) is an indication of how regions are gonna go, I think it’s exciting,” she said.

Dylan Gette-King is a senior in high school. She has swam for the Palmer High Swim team for four years and is this year’s team captain.