If the Gig Harbor Tides hope to have another illustrious season in the pool, they’ll have to find ways to replace athletes like Will Frame, Devon McMenimen and Dakota Moist.

The senior trio represented a huge chunk of points for the Tides during last year’s Class 4A state swimming and diving championships, where the team placed eighth.

It’ll be difficult to replace those swimmers, who combined to win seven state medals a year ago, but the cupboard is far from bare for longtime Tides coach Mike Kelly.

Evan Indahl, a junior, and Erik Nielsen, a sophomore, figure to be Gig Harbor’s best swimmers this winter. Last season, Indahl won medals in two relay events and the 500-yard freestyle, and Nielsen contributed at state when he helped the Tides’ 200 free relay squad place eighth.

“They are currently doing times very close to or below state-qualifying times,” Kelly said of the pair.
Kelly’s concern is to get the rest of the lineup in proper race shape.

“The boys, for some reason, like to sit around for nine months and do nothing, show up out of shape and overweight,” Kelly said. “And it takes us pretty much the whole season to get ourselves where we want to be.”

However, the Tides improved during the first two weeks of training, and it showed in a 140-46 blowout of South Kitsap in the season-opening dual meet last Thursday.

“Everyone’s getting back into shape,” Nielsen said the day before the meet. “We all feel a lot better. We’re all getting a lot stronger.”

Seniors Matthew Collins and Baylor Stearnes will have important roles on the squad, Kelly said, as they try to advance further in the postseason and inspire their younger teammates. Both will race the 100-yard breaststroke, and Collins has lofty goals.

“My goal is to make state,” he said. “If I make state, I’ll be pretty close to breaking the school record.

“Last year, Dakota really stepped up and started teaching me how to improve my breaststroke, the turns and the (finish) and everything. He really helped me get that down.”

Bastian Weyn, a sophomore, won the first diving competition of the year against South Kitsap, and Kelly believes he’ll be the top performer throughout the season.

Kellen Furrer, another second-year performer, saw plenty of varsity action as a freshman and started the year strong with a win in the 500 freestyle. He’s the third brother in his family to swim for the Tides.

“He’s in better shape than he was last year, so he should contribute a lot to the team’s success this year,” Kelly said.

Gig Harbor’s top freshman looks to be Jackson Curtis, who swam to victory in the 200 free against South Kitsap. He also might be asked to provide depth for the team’s relays, which have always been a major focus for Kelly because they earn twice as many points during competitions.

Nielsen worked with the Puget Sound Swim Club during the offseason and is looking to break the school record in the 100 free.

“Hopefully I’ll be working with Mike in the weight room,” he said, “and stretching and just doing a lot more that I can to get into shape and get faster in the pool.”

The Tides always set a goal of sweeping their duals, Kelly said, and they’ll be trying to avenge last season’s loss to Stadium. The teams meet Jan. 19 at Gig Harbor to close the Narrows League season.

“It’s just a matter of getting into shape, and even though I’m not happy with where they are now, if you’d seen them two weeks ago, it was an even a bigger disaster,” Kelly said. “They’re willing to work, and they’re not afraid to give their best effort every practice, and that’s really how you get better.”

GIG HARBOR TIDES BOYS SWIMMING/DIVING

Coach: Mike Kelly, 11th season

2010-11 recap: 9-1 in dual meets, third at district championships, eighth at Class 4A state championships

Defending league champion: Stadium

Key losses: Will Frame, Devon McMenimen, Dakota Moist

Key returners: Matthew Collins, sr., Kellen Furrer, so., Evan Indahl, jr., Erik Nielsen, so., Baylor Stearnes, sr., Bastian Weyn, so.

Key newcomer: Jackson Curtis, fr.

Biggest upside: Depth in every race that will lead to strong dual-meet season

Opponents to watch: Curtis, Stadium, Wilson

TIDES’ SCHEDULE
Dec. 8 vs. Central Kitsap, 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 10 at Foss Falcon Relays, 10 a.m.
Dec. 12 vs. Rogers (Puyallup), 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 13 vs. Mount Tahoma, 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 5 vs. Olympia, 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 10 at Foss, 5 p.m.
Jan. 12 at Timberline, 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 17 at Curtis, Wilson, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 19 vs. Stadium, 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 24 at Narrows League divisionals (Mount Tahoma HS), 3 p.m.
Jan. 26-27 at Narrows League championships (Foss HS), 4 p.m.
Feb. 2-4 at West Central District championships (Curtis HS), 4 p.m.
Feb. 17-18 at Class 4A state championships (King County Aquatic Center, Federal Way), 2:30 p.m.

Sports Editor Neil Pierson can be reached at 253-853-9246 or by email at neil.pierson@gateline.com. Follow him on Twitter, @gateway_neil.