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Archive for the ‘Swim’ Category

Toss your kids in the pool (safely)

Posted in Swim, tagged , , , , on May 11, 2022| Leave a Comment »

It’s a rite of passage.

Summer arrives, and with the advent of (possibly) warmer weather, everyone heads to the pool.

Yes, even in Washington state…

Want your kiddos to know their way around the pool, and be safe whilst splashing?

Take advantage of lessons being offered by the Admiral’s Cove Beach Club, with all the pertinent info to be found in the photo above.

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Tack still on the attack

Posted in Swim, tagged , , , , on February 21, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Ethan Tack (left) closed his college swimming career with four titles in his final meet. (Photo courtesy Thomas Tack)

Straight out of Coupeville, and still the fastest guy in the pool.

Ethan Tack, who first started swimming at Oak Harbor’s John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool, was once a student in Deb Sherman’s class at Coupeville Elementary.

Now, he’s a veteran of the US Olympic Team trials who just wrapped his competitive swim career at the Naval Academy.

Tack went out with a bang, winning Patriot League Championship titles in four events en route to being tabbed as the swimmer of the meet.

He tapped the wall first in the 200 IM (1:44.58), 400 IM (3:48.60), and 200 fly (1:43.89), while also swimming a leg on the fastest 800 free relay team (6:23.01).

Tack finished his college career having scored the most meet points of any graduating senior at Navy.

The Midshipmen finished the league championships with 874 points, easily winning the team battle over runners-up Army (740.5) and Bucknell (559.5).

One of five brothers in the Tack family — oldest son Spencer was an All-League First-Team soccer player at Coupeville High School — Ethan has been pursuing a degree in computer engineering.

He commissions May 27, then reports to Navy flight school June 3.

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Former Wolf makes huge splash

Posted in Swim, tagged , , , , on June 9, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Former Coupeville student Ethan Tack will swim in the US Olympic Team Trials. (Photo courtesy Tom Tack)

And then there were two.

Ethan Tack has become the second former Coupeville student in recent times to qualify for the US Olympic Team Trials, following in the footsteps of marathoner Kyle King.

Tack, who swam for the North Whidbey Aquatic Club and attended Coupeville Elementary, eventually transitioned to the East Coast after a family move.

He now lives on Long Island, and is a rising senior at the Naval Academy.

Tack qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 200 individual medley and competes June 17 in Omaha, Nebraska for a spot on the team headed to Tokyo.

The Navy has a program-record 24 swimmers competing in the trials.

During their time on Whidbey, the Tack family were at the forefront of the local swim scene.

“Ethan started his journey to the trials while at Coupeville Elementary and swimming for NWAC while cutting a few of Mrs. Sherman’s classes for practice and meets,” said dad Tom Tack. “I believe he’s the first NWAC alum to ever make the trials, though I’m not positive.”

After moving East, Ethan Tack eventually graduated from Half Hollow Hills High School, where he lettered in swim all four years.

His team won the New York State Public High School Championship in 2016 and 2017, while Tack twice earned All-State honors.

Also a Scholastic All-American, he was the county championship meet MVP in 2018, competing on both the club and school level.

Since arriving at the Naval Academy, where is he pursuing a computer engineering major, Tack has earned First-Team All-Patriot League honors twice.

He will be the second member of his family to graduate from the academy, following in the footsteps of his father.

 

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Falcons earn watery success

Posted in Swim, tagged , , , , on April 5, 2021| Leave a Comment »

South Whidbey High School’s senior swimmers are (l to r) Katie Zundel, Ashley Lynch, and Sarah Zundel. (Photos courtesy Kymy Johnson)

They endured.

Six swimmers from South Whidbey High School managed to get a season in during the Age of Coronavirus, going above and beyond what they normally have to do just to compete.

And that’s impressive, since even a normal season requires more than the normal amount of commitment.

Any Falcons who want to swim or dive have to get themselves to the mainland, where they train and travel with Kamiak High School in Mukilteo.

During meets, the South Whidbey competitors compile their own points, however, and don’t add to the total gathered by the Knights.

So, take that initial trip, toss in all the Covid-related restrictions, and give the Falcons an extra vote of approval.

“As far as the six (SWHS simmers) go, amazing dedication to ride the ferry every day,” said Kamiak coach Chris Erickson. “For Ashley (Lynch) and Katie (Zundel), four years!”

Katie’s twin sister, Sarah, joined the team as a sophomore, with the three capping their prep careers this season as seniors.

While the trio, who are Academic All-Americans, compete off-Island, they are still a big part of the local swim scene.

Lynch and the Zundel sisters are life guards at the Useless Bay Golf and Country Club, and teach swim lessons through the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation Department.

L to r are Lynch, Katie Zundel, Sarah Zundel, Kamiak Coach Chris Erickson, Parker Forsyth, Abigail Ireland, and Devon King.

Lynch finished #4 in the 500 free and #5 in the 200 free among Wesco swimmers.

South Whidbey sophomore Parker Forsythe was #5 in the 200 IM and #8 in the 100 fly, with Katie Zundel claiming #10 in the 100 back stroke.

When All-League honors were issued, South Whidbey hit the list three times, earning Honorable Mention status for Lynch in the 500 free and both its 200 Medley and 400 Free relay squads.

While three of the six Falcons graduate, Forsythe, Abigail Ireland, and Devon King are just sophomores.

The swimming co-op between South Whidbey and Kamiak was begun by Ashley Lynch’s older sister, Ally, and Kinsey Eager.

“The norms were set and this group has carried it on,” Erickson said. “When these three seniors graduate, I have no doubt that the three sophomores will continue on the tradition of dedication and commitment.

“For as short as it was, this mini season was fun, memorable, and mostly productive.”

One last bow for the seniors.

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Explore the Island, support Coupeville schools

Posted in Bike sports, Fundraisers, Running, Swim, tagged , , , , , , , on June 21, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Multiple ways to support a good cause. (Photo courtesy James Steller)

“Circumnavigate Whidbey” is back, but with a twist.

An annual fundraiser for the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools, it’s headed into its third go-round, with the hope of attracting the most participants yet.

The first two years featured creator James Steller (and later a few friends) circling Whidbey by means of running, bicycling, and swimming.

This time out, they’re offering local athletes a chance to participate in two non-competitive “half-Ironman triathlons,” while tracing the 160-mile perimeter of Whidbey Island.

The event goes down Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 1).

The first day, athletes launch from Mickey Clark Field (behind Coupeville Elementary School), head South, then work their way back to Coupeville.

Day two will start in the same place, but everyone will head North.

Each day will consist of 13 miles running (split into several legs), a mile swim, and the rest taken up by biking.

Participants will stick together on the journey, regardless of pace.

The event wraps with a community potluck at the end of the second day.

Those who want to help support the Foundation, but not hit the roads and waters, can donate to the cause, as the poster at the top of this article indicates.

The Foundation, which was started in 1977, provides scholarships to students and grants to teachers, helping keep Coupeville education humming along.

For much more info on the foundation, or “Circumnavigate Whidbey,” pop over to:

https://www.4coupevilleschools.org

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