Predictions for the 2022 Metro Swim/Dive Prelims by Teige Halligan

SEATTLE- With the Metro Swim/Dive Prelims coming up this Friday there are of course going to be speculation on who will place what. With that being said, here are the Irish Sports Network predictions for the top 3 teams from top to bottom.

#1- Lakeside High School -

Lakeside has been on a serious rampage this season being 7-0 and showing their dominance beating Bainbridge, a recent Olympic League and former Metro powerhouse, 105-78. Lakeside will most likely win state considering the way they blow teams out of the water, pun intended. They’re the projected #1 seed going into the prelims and looking at the prediction sheet you’d believe it.

Here's just one example of how Lakeside will be the likely winner of Friday's meet. Lakeside's personal record in the 200 relay demands attention due to its separation among other times. Not only that, many Lakeside swimmers are a-top rankings of multiple events like junior Jerry Chen, predicted to be #1 in the 200 yard individual medley, senior Derek Young #1 in the 50 yard freestyle, and sophomore Alvin Zhang #1 in the 100 yard breastroke.

#2- Garfield High School -

Garfield has had a decent year this year being 4-2 and holding their own having some of the better times in most events placing within the top 5 in most events. Garfield is too well-rounded of a team to be the #3 seed, and the stats show.

This graphic shown is really how the Bulldogs are matched against highly touted teams, like Lakeside, and can close the gap better than most teams. Some more examples of this are Jr. Vincent Pham having a 53.48 in the 100 yard butterfly placing 3rd, and Sr. Anders Pearson placing 3rd in the 100 yard freestyle. Most likely, the Bulldogs will be the second and possibly third team coming out of the prelims. So, be on the lookout because the team up next are currently under the radar, but not for long.

#3- O'Dea High School -

The Irish have a strong record of 6-1 coming into prelims and quite honestly are in contention for 2nd place, just the consistency in placing within the top 5 times is poor. Though from recent reports, the aquatic center they use has been shut down a few times due to Covid cases within the building, halting practices. But, the Irish are scrappy, and will always find a way to compete heavily with the better teams.

Though O'Dea may not be stellar in individual events, their times within the relay events are top notch, with their lowest placing overall in a relay being 4th in the 200 yard freestyle. With this, the Irish shouldn't be overlooked during the prelims, especially with sophomore Jack Skarda and senior Owen Weber showing some fire power in the 200 yard individual medley placing 4th and 5th.

With that being said, the Irish swim/dive team should not be under the radar going into this Friday's meet.

- Honorable Mentions -

#4- Ballard High School

#5- Eastside Catholic

#6- Roosevelt High School

#7- Franklin High School

#8- Ingraham High School

#9- Lincoln High School

#10- Bishop Blanchet