Just one of the swimmers heading to Cary today to defend Washington’s two 1-A/2-A state championships is a senior. There are two juniors, three sophomores and a freshman.

Many of them are quite familiar with what to expect. Hodges Tubaugh and Harrison Schmidt — both juniors — are veterans when it comes to competing in championship meets. They remember the come-from-behind spectacle that earned them the crown in 2016. Then, last year, they were crucial to Washington running away with the championship.

“We just have to have good swims altogether,” Tubaugh said. “I think our relays are going to be pretty good. … You just go in, try your best and give it your all. It’s the same formula (as the last two years).”

Schmidt added: “We’ve really got to go and get it this year. We’ve practiced hard and prepared ourselves.”

Sophomore Patrick Lovenberg was the second leg on the first-place 200-yard medley relay team that got last year’s title win off and running. He and Schmidt were also part of the third-place 200-yard freestyle squad. Tubaugh was the second leg for the group that won gold in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Each also got a taste of individual competition last time around. They’ll all be taking on more this time, which is exactly what they were hoping for. Tubaugh and Schmidt both said they’re looking forward to the 100-yard freestyle the most.

But with such a youthful roster this season, the Pam Pack knows it isn’t the team to beat. It placed fifth in the eastern-regional meet last week. It will be tough to earn a third-straight championship with four of its seven swimmers being underclassmen.

Still, first-year coach Kaitlyn Richards and each Pam Pack representative are eager to compete for gold.

“Going into states, we’re really excited. There were some mistakes made (at the regional meet) and we’ve corrected them this week,” Richards said. “I have complete confidence in them. They’re ready. They’re eager to go and compete. I’m excited to watch them swim, and they’re just as excited.”

Taylor Myers is the lone senior swimming for Washington. However, the transfer from Maryland got his first taste of this level of competition last week at the regional meet.

“I’m really pumped. Regionals was awesome,” he said. As an individual, he swimming the 100-yard breaststroke and will go up against teammate Patrick Lovenberg. “This team is a family. We’re all very close. I think it’s been easy to lead just by trying to swim fast and put my best foot forward.”

A championship won’t define success for this team. The boys will be returning most of their roster from this campaign, so this experience is an opportunity to grow and maintain Washington’s status as one of the east’s top programs.

“Some of them have growing to do, but my sophomores and juniors are ready to step up and be juniors and seniors,” Richards said. “I’m just really excited for what the future holds for them.”

 

Shepherd the Lady Pack flag bearer

While Richards is making her coaching debut in Cary, she’s no stranger to competing at the state-championship level. She went all four years during her days swimming for Washington.

So, with Claire Shepherd earning her way into the state-championship meet, Richards is also excited for the growth shown within the Lady Pack program.

“I think it really means a lot for her. She definitely stepped up this year and she has a lot of pressure on her,” Richards said. “I think she’s really excited to go and compete. I’m ready to see her do well.”

Shepherd, a junior, will compete for a title in the 50-yard freestyle. Richards believes that this will mark an important step in her growth, as well as an example set for the rest of Washington’s girls.

“Role-model wise, she’s one of the best,” she said. “The girls look up to her. She’s the kind of girl to go help wherever she’s needed. She’s one of those people I can put anywhere and she’ll excel.”