Capturing the top two spots in all 11 events, the Oak Harbor High School swim team destroyed Monroe 137-27 in the season opener Monday, Dec. 3, at John Vanderzicht Pool.
The Wildcats also swept the first three spots in six events in Alex Thierry’s debut as a varsity swim coach.
Josh Jepsen led the dominating performance with state qualifying times in all four of his events. Individually, he won the 200-meter medley in 2:15.19 and the 100 breaststroke in 1:10.04. He also met a state time in the 50 free in his opening leg of the 200 free relay, winning with Cedric Cabigting, Caley Powers and Kevin Levy (1:46.3). Jepsen joined Toren Wood, Powers and Levy to win the 200 medley relay in a state time of 1:56.43.
Levy was also a four-time winner. In addition to the relays, he won the 50 free (26.13) and 100 free (59.73).
Joe Gorman took the 200 free (2:23.2) and 400 free (5:01.8) and teamed with Wood, Cabigting and Michael Johnson to win the 400 free relay (4:30.86).
Powers won the 100 butterfly (1:04.95) and Cabigting the 100 backstroke (1:07.76).
Thierry said in regard to the meet, “I think it went really well, but there is still a lot we can improve on. I think it was a wakeup call for some who did not get the times they are used to. It’s time to step it up and work harder in practice.”
He was pleased with his young swimmers: “Our JV kids swam well; it will make our depth even deeper.”
Oak Harbor will get a much stiffer test in its next meet when it goes to traditional power Kamiak at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec.6.
Other results versus Monroe:
Second: Jake Nelson, 200 free, 2:32.79, 400 free, 5:56.42; Powers, 200 IM, 2:33.64; Derek Volk, 50 free, 30.45; Johnson, 100 fly, 1:08.49; Ryan Cuajunco, 100 free, 1:07.59; Wood, 100 back, 1:13.26; David Kusnick 100 breast, 1:28.35; 200 medley relay, Cabigting, Kusnick, Johnson, Gorman, 2:09.39; 200 free relay, Wood, Kusnick, Joey Jepsen, Nelson, 1:59.43; 400 free relay, Joey Jepsen, Cuajunco, Nelson, Erik Jensen, 4:51.43.
Third: Johnson, 200 IM, 2:34.19; Eli Mitchell, 50 free, 33.05; Volk, 100 free, 1:11.34; Joey Jepsen, 400 free, 5:58.72; Cuajunco, 100 back, 1:15.71; 400 free relay, Dylan Klein, Clayton Livermore, Volk, Mitchell, 5:14.57.
