The Rams, the 2A Evergreen Conference champs and undefeated, have now qualified 21 for district.
North Thurston, led by Katy Tiernan, Sam Anders, Arriya Hagen and Bre Schwarz, finished the regular season 11-0.
Rams coach Josh Stottlemyer is optimistic going into district, which will be Nov. 5-6 at Evergreen State College.
“I expect big-time drops in time at district and state,” said Stottlemyer, who is assisted by Jak Ayres. “We’re hoping to finish high at state.”
Stottlemyer said a state title is within reach.
Anders’ season-best time in the 500-yard freestyle is five minutes and 26 seconds, third best in the state. The junior swam a 25.91 in the 50, a state-qualifying time.
“Sam is doing phenomenal,” Stottlemyer said. “She’s also gotten faster in shorter events and helped us in relays.”
Tiernan has qualified for state in the 50 and 100 freestyle and is on two state-qualifying relays.
Hagen has state-qualifying times in the 100 butterfly, 100 back and 200 IM.
North Thurston returned four state qualifiers off a team that placed 19th at the 3A state meet a year ago.
“I saw the potential,” Stottlemyer said. “All but one state qualifier was returning. And we moved down to 2A.”
North Thurston’s Dyanara Manansala was a double winner, placing first in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle.
All but five Rams swimmers have qualified for district. They had eight qualify for district last season in 3A.
