BOYS SWIM AND DIVE: Panthers show improvement during first meets

After their second swim meet of the season, Panther head coach Jay Paulson said his team is improving.

After their second swim meet of the season, Panther head coach Jay Paulson said his team is improving.

Bonney Lake fell victim to Peninsula 125-54 Thursday at the Sumner High pool.

“Although the score doesn’t show it, our boys are getting better,” Paulson said. “Our first two meets of the season happen to be against a couple teams that will be at the top in our district meet.”

Paulson said most of his returners are meeting times they finished with last season and some are beginning to record personal bests.

“The new guys are starting to figure out what it means to race,” he added.

Senior diver Tim Eckhart, competing in his first meet, took first against Peninsula with 142.3 points.

Another senior, Jake Gould, posted a personal best in the 100-yard freestyle at 59.76 seconds, while junior Cody Steiert swam the lead leg of the 400 freestyle relay in less than a minute.

Sophomore Nathan Scott dropped 30 seconds from the previous meet’s time in the 500 freestyle.

Paulson said junior Evan Sarver joined the sprinters Thursday and finished with the Panthers’ fastest time in the 50 freestyle.

He added newcomers Zack Bordelon and Cameron Gehrke are showing plenty of potential in the pool.

Bonney Lake will face Auburn Mountainview at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Auburn.