Grays Harbor News Group

LONGVIEW — Aberdeen’s boys swimming team got the start it was looking for to kick-start a successful day at the District IV 2A boys swimming championships at Mark Morris High School on Friday.

The Bobcats qualified one relay team and one individual swimmer automatically on Friday into next weekend’s state 2A boys swimming championships at the King County Aquatic Center at Federal Way.

Also, Aberdeen’s performances in three other events sets up a chance at wild-card entries into the state meet. The top-two finishers in Friday’s meet earned automatic state berths.

“This was the best day at the pool this team has had all season,” AHS head coach Rob Burns said. “Faced with a bit of adversity, this team had to perform from the get-go. I couldn’t be more proud of every swimmer (on Friday).”

On Thursday, District IV administrators trimmed the meet into a one-day affair due to weather concerns.

The 200-yard medley relay joined the duo in the first event of day. The foursome of Russell Bates, Trevor Mullin, Conner Gates and Brice Kola posted a season-best 1:53.02 to finish second to secure the state berth.

Mullin made sure he was heading to KCAC when he pulled away from a crowded field to take second in the 100 breast. The senior hit a career-best 1:11.02 to qualify for state.

“Trevor has had an interesting road — from missing state as a sophomore to a rough state day as a junior to Friday’s performances; he’s earned his state spot,” Burns said. “The medley team set the tone for the entire meet for us. When they qualified, everyone relaxed. It took the pressure off, so the whole team swam loose and strong after.”

Last week, divers Kai Kawashima and Jesus Cisneros qualified for the state meet in the District IV 2A diving meet in Lacey to start Aberdeen’s postseason road. They were recognized on Friday for qualifying for state.

The 200 freestyle relay team (Kola-Bates-Kawashima-Gates) took third at 1:39.83 and the 400 freestyle relay team (Colton Burns-Bates-Kola-Gates) took third at 3:51.25.

Hoquiam freshman Tommy Wallace finished 10th overall in the 500 freestyle and the 100 breast, scoring six team points for the Grizzlies. His performance was the first for a Hoquiam boy at a district swim meet in recent memory.

2A District IV Boys Swimming

Team: Columbia River 348, Mark Morris 282, Aberdeen 188. 7. Hoquiam 6.

(Top-2 to state; Top-12 score points)

200 MR — 2. Aberdeen (Bates, Mullin, Gates, Kola), 1:53.02. 200 Free — 11. Jamieson Berney, 2:37.77. 12. Clayton Anderson, 2:42.81. 200 IM — 5. Trevor Mullin, 2:31.78. 7. Colton Burns, 2:36.56. 50 Free — 8. Brice Kola, 25.65. 12. Toby Courts, 27.08. Diving (in Kelso) — 1. Kai Kawashima, 290.15. 2. Jesus Cisneros, 195.50.

100 Fly — 6. Conner Gates, 1:01.48. 100 Free — 7. Colton Burns, 58.55. 11. Toby Courts, 1:01.50. 500 Free — 10. Tommy Wallace (Hoq), 7:16.26. 11. Clayton Anderson, 7:17.21. 12. Jamieson Berney, 7:24.30. 200 FR — 3. Aberdeen (Kola, Bates, Kawashima, Gates), 1:39.83. 100 Back — 5. Russell Bates, 1:05.33. 8. Logan Sias, 1:10.38. 100 Breast — 2. Trevor Mullin, 1:11.02. 5. Kai Kawashima, 1:14.47. 10. Tommy Wallace (Hoq), 1:27.89. 400 FR — 3. Aberdeen (Burns, Bates, Kola, Gates), 3:51.25.