Pam Pack comes up big at regionals|WHS will send 11 swimmers to state

Published 9:48 pm Tuesday, February 9, 2010

By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
The Washington swim team made waves at the NCHSAA 3-A regional swim meet Sunday at Goldsboro as a combined 11 swimmers (not including alternates) advanced to the state meet which will be held Friday at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary.
As a team, the Pam Pack racked up 255 points to took fourth place overall at the meet, while Cardinal Gibbons tallied a whopping 799 points to take first place. To advance to the state finals, a swimmer or swimmers had to finish in 12th place or better.
“This is the best we have ever finished,” Washington coach Spencer Pake said. “I’m very proud of this team, they are very talented and motivated to reach their goals.”
Pake, who is in his sixth year as coach of the Pam Pack, was recently named Coastal Conference Coach the Year for the second straight season.
The modest Pake attributed the honor to his team saying, “It feels really good to get recognized, but a coach is only as good as his team, and I got a really special group.”
Freshman Emily Pfeiffer and junior Brandon Niederhauser were extra-special Sunday as each captured a regional crown.
Pfeiffer, sister of former Pam Pack swimming sensation Anna Pfeiffer, took first place in the 100-yard breast stroke with a time of 1:11.09, then placed second in the individual medley with a time of 2:19.14.
“She was breathtaking,” Pake said describing her performance. “She just has great technique and a great work ethic.”
Niederhauser raced to first place in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 49:32, then darted towards a second place finish in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 22:14.
Niederhauser will enter the state meet as the No. 1 seed in the 100-yard freestyle, making him the first Washington swimmer to ever do so. The previous highest seed was earned by Anna Pfeiffer last season when she was a No. 2 seed in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Pake said that the key to Niederhauser’s success is all the time he has invested in getting better.
“Brandon has come a long way in three years,” Pake said. “He has really grown into a great swimmer and a hard worker.”
Niederhauser was also part of two relay teams that placed fifth or better. In the 400-yard freestyle relay York Winstead, Luke Harris, Charles Pfeiffer and Niederhauser swam a 3:39.56 to take home the bronze medal.
In the 200-yard freestyle, the quartet of Will Davis, Winstead, Harris and Niederhauser powered their way to fifth place by swimming a 1:39.72.
In the 200-yard medley, Pfeiffer, Davis, Winstead and Harris earned a ninth place finish with a time of 1:55.39.
The Pam Pack will be competing for a state title in all of the a fore mentioned relays.
“We really got some good performances by York Winstead and Luke Harris in the relays,” Pake said. “We wouldn’t be where we are without them.”
On the girls’ side, Riziki Omonde placed fourth in the 100-yard freestyle (56.95), and dashed to sixth in the 200-yard freestyle (2:08.64). Kaitlyn Richards nabbed 13th in the 100-yard freestyle and 18th in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:11.26.
Shannon Niederhauser legged out 17th place in the 500-yard freestyle, while Jessie Howard took 13th (6:20.37) in the 500 freestyle and 19th in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:22.08.
Michaela Daniels took 14th in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:21.35), and 21st (2:22.46) in the 200 freestyle.
Like the boys, the Washington girls excelled in the relay events. The foursome of Omonde, Niederhauser, Richards and Pfeiffer swam a 1:50.35 in the 200-yard freestyle relay to place fourth, while the same group netted fifth in the 200-yard medley relay.
Rachel Thompson, Howard, Daniels and Niederhauser took 13th (4:27.64) in the 400-yard freestyle relay.
GIRLS
Emily Pfeiffer captured first place in the 100 breaststroke (1:11.09) and was second in the 200 intermediate (2:19.14).
Riziki Omonde placed fourth in the 100 freestyle (56.95) and sixth in the 200 yard freestyle (2:08.64).
Kaitlyn Richards placed 13th in the 100 freestyle (1:01.19) and 18th in the 100 backstroke (1:11.26).
Shannon Niederhauser was 17th in the 500 freestyle (27.87).
Jessie Howard was 13th in the 500 freestyle (6:20.37) and 19th (2:22.08) in the 200 freestyle.
Michaela Daniels took 14th in the 100 breaststroke (1:21.35) and 21st (2:22.46) in the 200 freestyle.
The 200 yard freestyle relay team of Omonde, Niederhauser, Richards and Pfeiffer took fourth (1:50.35).
The 200 yard medley relay team of Pfeiffer, Omonde, Niederhauser and Richards placed fifth (2:04.25).
The 400 freestyle relay group of Howard, Rachel Thompson, Daniels and Niederhauser finished 13th (4:27.64).
BOYS
Brandon Niederhauser captured first in the 100 freestyle (49.32) and was second in the 50 freestyle (22.14).
Charles Pfeiffer was sixth in the 500 freestyle (5:25.64) and eighth in the 200 freestyle (2:01.24).
Will Davis was eighth in the 100 breaststroke (1:09.16) and 17th (2:06.78) in the 200 freestyle.
York Winstead took 10th in the 100 butterfly (1:02.59).
Luke Harris was 21st in the 100 freestyle (57.39).
The 400 freestyle relay quarter of Pfeiffer, Winstead, Harris and Niederhauser took third (3:39.56).
The 200 freestyle relay team of Davis, Winstead, Harris and Niederhauser finished fifth (1:39.72).
The 200 yard medley relay foursome of Pfeiffer, Davis, Winstead and Harris took ninth (1:55.39).