Doane sets school record in 100-yard breaststroke for Tides

There will be a new name on the record board at the Gig Harbor High School pool: Griffin Doane, the school’s new record-holder in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Doane, a senior, recorded a time of 59.97 seconds at the West Central District III meet over the weekend at Curtis High, good enough for first place at the event and an automatic state qualification. Doane also broke the previous school record of 1:00.12, set by Dan Nelson in 2000.

“Honestly, it’s been something I’ve been waiting for all four years,” Doane said. “To be honest, I didn’t know if it was possible at the beginning of the season. (Coach Mike Kelly) really helped me out. I’ve worked really hard and I’ve surprised myself at districts with the time I went.”

Doane is excited to see his name on the wall with other Gig Harbor greats from over the years.

“I’ve swam with some of the guys up there and they’re all great guys,” Doane said. “It’s just an honor to be on the board with them. It’s something I’ve always dream of, looking up there and seeing my name. It’ll be great to finally have that.”

In prelims on Friday, Doane said he felt great. Going into Saturday’s finals, Doane was confident he would have a good race.

“I was thinking to myself, ‘This feels really good today. I’m excited to see what I can do,’” he said.

Gig Harbor had 21 swims in the meet and set personal best times in 20 of them. As a team, the Tides took fourth. Senior Dawson Allen took first in the 50 free with a time of 22.24 seconds, edging Curtis’ Sam Abbott, who came in second with a time of 22.28.

“I wasn’t expecting to win that,” Allen said. “I was just going to give it my all and try to get a personal best time. It was crazy. I touched the wall and looked at the timing board. There was a few seconds of me looking at everyone else’s places and then mine. I didn’t think I was going to be first.”

Allen didn’t know where he was in relation to the other swimmers during the race.

“I was just trying to go,” he said. “I didn’t see anyone next to me. I was just looking straight down and seeing my next stroke, pushing myself to go faster.”

Gig Harbor also qualified for the state meet in all three relays. While the Tides have lacked depth this season, the team had a strong showing at the district meet and should make some noise at the state meet, set for Feb. 19-20 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

“I’m just excited to see what this team can do at state,” Doane said.

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 9:29 AM with the headline "Doane sets school record in 100-yard breaststroke for Tides."