SQUALICUM

STORM

Coach: Randy Elsner

Last year: Finished third in the Northwest Conference with a 7-2 dual-meet record (5-2 NWC). Placed third at the 2A Northwest District meet and was 12th at the 2A state championships.

Swimmers to watch: Andi DeKoster (jr., distance), Rylan Korby (sr., diving, butterfly), Hans Kogan (jr., sprints), Ryan Harris (jr., backstroke), Nathan Kamkoff (jr., breaststroke, distance), Neall Koetje (jr., sprints), Lucas Roberts (jr., sprints), Jonathan Hegeberg (fr., breaststroke, distance)

Outlook: Former Nooksack Valley swimmer Randy Elsner becomes the Storm's fifth coach in six seasons. He understands what the Squalicum seniors have gone through, as he had three coaches in high school, until Steve Gibb took over at Lynden. He was an assistant under Gibb the past two boys' seasons and then this past fall during the girls' season at Squalicum. Former Squalicum state champion Gus Evans has chosen to focus on club swimming, but the Storm has a number of top performers back. Korby finished second in the diving last year, and will continue to swim, as well. DeKoster and Kogan are also expected to take steps forward in the pool and as leaders for Squalicum this year. "These guys have done a lot of working together," Elsner said in a phone interview. "They're a real tight-knit group." Harris and Hegeberg have been impressive newcomers to the team.

2012 SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 30 NWC Relays (at Arne Hanna) 3:15 p.m.

Dec. 4 Bellingham* 3:15 p.m.

Dec. 8 NWC Invitational (at Fidalgo) 3 p.m.

Dec. 12 Burlington-Edison* 3:15 p.m.

Dec. 18 Archbishop Murphy 3:15 p.m.

Dec. 18 Sehome 3:15 p.m.

Jan. 3 at Lynden* 3:30 p.m.

Jan. 5 District Diving (at Fidalgo) 3 p.m.

Jan. 8 Sedro-Woolley* 3:15 p.m.

Jan. 10 at Anacortes* 2:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 District Diving (at Fidalgo) 3 p.m.

Jan. 22 at Sehome* 3:15 p.m.

Feb. 8 2A NW District (at Fidalgo) 1 p.m.

Feb. 9 2A NW District (at Fidalgo) 9 a.m.

Feb. 17 2A State Meet (at Federal Way) 2 p.m.

Feb. 18 2A State Meet (at Federal Way) 2:30 p.m.

NOTE: Home meets at Arne Hanna Aquatic Center

*NWC dual meet

Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.