By Bucky Beaver
Ballard High School had all five of its winter programs make the playoffs for the first time since the mid 90’s. In addition to boys and girls basketball a number of student-athletes from wrestling, boys swimming, and gymnastics advanced to regionals and on to the state competition in their respective sports.
Three wrestlers advanced to regionals in Vancouver, Washington. They were juniors Jack Deal and Austin Daffron, and sophomore Adam Deehring. Deal and Deehring went 1-2 in their matches and Daffron went 0-2. Great season by the three boys!
The following boys swimmers advanced to districts at the University of Washington: seniors Kyle Garrity, Duncan Fowler, Elijah Lancey, and Nathan Powell, juniors Josh Pehrson, Tim Porter, Kellen Reeder, sophomore Andrew Stevens, and freshmen Rory Carlson, Ian Rice, and Nate O’Leary. Junior diver Evan Arends also qualified. The 200 relay team consisting of Garrity, Stevens, Pehrson, and Carlson, as well as Pehrson in the 100 breaststroke advanced from districts and qualified for state as did diver Arends.
State competition was this past weekend at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. The relay team recorded a good enough time to advance to the finals on Saturday. With their time in the finals they ended up placing 15th in state! Diver Arends also advanced to the finals ending up placing 15th in state as well!
Finally, the Ballard gymnastics team had five girls advance to districts. They were junior Jaemi Salazar, sophomores Lauren Lee, Laila Lee, and Victoria O’Laughlin, and freshman Clara Yardley. Lauren Lee was able to make it to state on the bars and Yardley on floor despite breaking her wrist during competition. Yardley was not able to compete at the state competition due to her injury, but Lee was. She excelled in the state competition ending up placing 15th at state! There is an exciting future for the very young Ballard gymnastics squad.
Photos courtesy of BHS Athletics.
