<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1bLIfC_1GxEjYPu00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1bLIfC_1GxEjYPu00" width="1200" height="900" ><figcaption>CHS district team during practice (courtesy of Kelly Dean)</figcaption></figure>Following a strong showing at the district championship on Nov. 6 and 7, the Camas High School (CHS) girls swim team is now turning its attention to the state championship on Nov. 13 and 14.This year, the swim team expects one of its strongest state teams in more than a decade.“A lot of [our top swimmers] are coming in with the experience of being at state for a couple of years, or they’re freshmen, but they’ve competed at pretty high levels [during] club [season].” Kelly Dean, head coach of both the girls’ and boys’ swim teams, said. “I think [our state team is] going to come into state with a lot more confidence than we’ve had sometimes in the past.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=10FEwo_1GxEjYPu00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=10FEwo_1GxEjYPu00" width="1501" height="2001" ><figcaption>Swimmers holding the No. 1 trophy on the podium (courtesy of Madelyn Plank)</figcaption></figure>Entering her fifth season as head coach, Dean has watched the team improve every year.At district, the swim team’s toughest competition often comes from their own teammates rather than opposing schools.“Our team competes against their teammates,” Dean said. “We’ve just embraced that culture we have; we really pride ourselves on our sportsmanship.”This year, the swim team placed No. 1 at district.However, the state championship proves to be competitive. Last year, the swim team was ranked No. 23 out of 35 teams.“We’re like small fish with big fish in a big pool,” Dean said. “And at state, there are just so many top swimmers.”To prepare swimmers for the increased competition, the team has incorporated additional meets, such as the Mukilteo Invite in Federal Way, Wash., throughout the season, allowing its top swimmers to race against other top swimmers before state.Dean also adjusted the team’s approach to district to prioritize performance at state. Rather than having all state-level swimmers compete in district relays, some alternates for state would take their places, allowing state swimmers additional recovery time while giving alternates practice for state.Additionally, swimmers who were expected to qualify for state held off on tapering for district, saving their rest and recovery for this week’s state championship.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2YQRNJ_1GxEjYPu00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2YQRNJ_1GxEjYPu00" width="2001" height="1501" ><figcaption>District team floating after practice (courtesy of Kelly Dean)</figcaption></figure>For both district and state swimmers, practices have become increasingly specialized. With fewer swimmers in the pool, coaches can divide athletes into groups based on their individual events and focus on specific techniques.The final weeks of preparation have brought anticipation for swimmers.“I’m feeling pretty good for a state,” Poppy Jones-Wick, a CHS junior, said. “I think I need one more week of taper, and then I’ll be good to go.”“I am [confident] because every year, I drop quite a significant amount of time,” Reidun Voss, a CHS senior, said. “I feel stronger this year, so I think I’ll do pretty well.”With a strong group of returning and new swimmers, the swim team is heading into the postseason with high expectations.</div></body>

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Following a strong showing at the district championship on Nov. 6 and 7, the Camas High School (CHS) girls swim team is now turning its attention to the state championship on Nov. 13 and 14. This year, the swim team expects one of its strongest state teams in more than...

Papermakers Dive Into Postseason: District Win and State Preview

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Following a strong showing at the district championship on Nov. 6 and 7, the Camas High School (CHS) girls swim team is now turning its attention to the st

Papermakers Dive Into Postseason: District Win and State Preview

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