BELLINGHAM - If Sehome boys' swimming coach Don Helling had any doubt his Mariners would win an eighth consecutive conference title heading into Tuesday's meet against undefeated Anacortes, Sehome's Curran Wilbour quickly dispelled any of Helling's unsettled feelings.
After the Mariners quartet of Cole Avery, Patrick Gregory, Andy Small and Allen Cui helped the Mariners capture the early momentum of the meet by winning the first event - the 200 medley relay - in dominating fashion, Wilbour proved in the second event of the dual just how hungry Sehome was to call themselves Northwest Conference champions.
In the 200 freestyle, Wilbour not only edged out teammate Casey Klipsch, who recently qualified for state in all eight sanctioned swim events, but the Sehome junior swimmer also beat Anacortes' Ian Schleh to take first in a time of 1 minute, 50.21 seconds.
"In the 200, we expected Curran to come in third," Helling said. "But, Curran saw the opening at the end and went for it. He dug in and made the state (qualifying) time by one second. (The meet) couldn't of gone better. We had some great individual performances. Every year it's a new group of swimmers, but (winning the NWC title) is the most exciting for the seniors."
Sehome won 10 out of the 11 events and cruised to a 116-69 victory in a Northwest Conference dual meet that was responsible for deciding the NWC champion Jan. 31, at Arne Hanna Aquatic Center.
Wilbour's win didn't come easy, as he had to surpass Schleh during the final 50 meters of the 200 freestyle to grab the narrow victory.
"I just stuck with the guy I was trying to beat," Wilbour said. "Mostly, though, I was surprised that I was able to beat Casey (Klipsch). That got me really pumped for the rest of the meet."
And it showed.
Wilbour followed his first-place swim with a second-place finish in the 500 freestyle, which gave the Mariners additional points to add to their already sizable lead at that stage in the meet. Wilbour also swam a leg in Sehome's first-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay.
"I was really impressed with Curran," Gregory said. "I was impressed with his 200 and that he got second in the 500. He did a good job, for sure."
Gregory had a strong meet himself.
The Sehome sprinter took first in the 50 freestyle with a state qualifying time of 22:76, won the 100 breaststroke with a state qualifying time of 1:05.48, swam a leg in the Mariners' winning 200 medley relay and swam a leg in Sehome's winning 200 freestyle relay.
"We've just been working pretty hard," Gregory said. "We have some upperclassmen, but we don't really have one specific leader on our team. I feel like we've all done a good job of stepping up more, and Don always makes us a good team."
The appreciation the Mariners have for Helling showed after the meet when a group of Sehome swimmers lured Helling into position so two other Mariners could sneak behind Helling and dump a bucket of water on the long-time coach's head.
Curran said it was the fastest he had ever seen Helling run.
"It's been a long time," said Helling, referring to the last time he'd received a dousing from any of his swimmers. "They used to try to throw you in the pool, but they don't do that anymore."
Besides Wilbour and Gregory, Avery was another Mariner who had a strong performance Tuesday. The freshman swimmer won the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke to go along with his winning leg in the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay.
While the victory over Anacortes was a nice way to finish a perfect 11-0 regular season, Helling and his Mariners know the next few weeks will dictate just how successful the 2011-12 season will be long after Sehome turns in its swim caps for the season.
"Well, essentially the work has been done," Helling said. "Now, they just need to taper smart and work on some skill sharpening. I think the California training trip helped a lot, and I don't think we have even seen the benefits of that yet."
Gregory is hoping the season will end with him winning his third state title in as many years.
"I'm definitely trying (to win state again)," said Gregory, who is in the midst of his third year swimming for Sehome. "It'd be cool to say I was able to win state all four years. It'd be good for bragging rights, but every year the (Class) 2A teams get better and better."
Next for the Mariners is the Class 2A District Swim Meet at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10 and 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. The district meet will be at Fidalgo Pool in Anacortes both days.
Reach Andrew Lang at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-756-2862.
SEHOME 116, ANACORTES 69
200 medley relay: Sehome (Cole Avery, Patrick Gregory, Andy Small, Allen Cui) 1:42.50*; 200 freestyle: Curran Wilbour (Sehome) 1:50.21*; 200 individual medley: Cole Avery (Sehome) 2:01.96*; 50 freestyle: Patrick Gregory (Sehome) 22.76*; Diving: Ezra Bergeron (Sehome) 139.45; 100 butterfly: Taylor Beck (Anacortes) 1:00.58*; 100 freestyle: Casey Klipsch (Sehome) 50.49*; 500 freestyle: Andy Small (Sehome) 4:59.98*; 200 freestyle relay: Sehome (Cole Avery, Curran Wilbour, Casey Klipsch, Patrick Gregory) 1:32.74*; 100 backstroke: Cole Avery (Sehome) 56.25*; 100 breaststroke: Patrick Gregory (Sehome) 1:05.48*; 400 freestyle relay: Sehome (Allen Cui, Curran Wilbour, Andy Small, Casey Klipsch) 3:31.22*
*State qualifying time.
