Prep swimmers off to regionals

The prep swimming season has just about seen its last race.

Local swimmers are competing today at the Region III meet in Valdez. The swimmers are in Valdez to earn the right to compete in the state meet, next week at Bartlett High School.

Of the local programs, the Colony girls have the best opportunity to make a splash in the two-day meet. Led by Sarah Brettrager, Nancy Long, Elise Long and Jorin Klawitter, several races in the state tournament could include Colony swimmers.

Brettrager is vying for the region title in both the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle. The Colony senior currently owns the state's third best time in each of those races this season.

Elise Long is contending for a spot in the state meet in several events. Long owns the state's fifth-best time in the 200 freestyle and is ranked in the top 15 in the state in the 100 breastroke, 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke.

Nancy Long has posted top-15 times in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle.

Klawitter ranks in the top 15 of the 50 freestyle.

Leading the Colony boys are divers Brandon Gonski and Nick Wise and swimmer Brandon Bruns.

Gonski and Wise are each ranked in the top 15 in the state in the 1-meter diving event and Bruns has the state's ninth-best time in the 100 breaststroke.

Both Palmer and Wasilla have smaller squads this year, with a fewer number of athletes looking to qualify for the state meet.

"We just don't have a lot of the super studs like some of the other teams do," Palmer head coach Tim Lundt said. "We want to see if we can get some kids in the finals. If we do that, I will be happy."

Lundt said the Palmer team includes a group of swimmers competing to stay in shape.

"We want to see if they can go out and get their best times," Lundt said. "That is what we are shooting for."

The Palmer boys' team does have a trio of athletes that should contend for a spot in the state meet.

According to Lundt, AlexMunoz should do well in both the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle.

"He has got a shot at state in the 200, but will have to work a little harder in the 500," Lundt said.

Also expected to contend for a spot in the state meet are Palmer divers Hal Willardson and Brian Skoresky.

Expected to lead the Warriors is Ben Harris.

Each region champion receives an automatic bid to the state meet.

A total of 12 swimmers from around the state will advance to Bartlett.

Organizers will find the top 11 swimmers from the state's region events to round out the top 12.