Thomas Jefferson’s Raiders boys swim team should be good, not great, in this coming South Puget Sound League North Division high school swim season.

Wendy Neely’s school she coaches swimming at is known for a high-profile academic learning program. This Raiders coach knows there is an importance to that.

“Their junior year they hit the IB program and a lot opt not to swim,” said Neely. “It’s a smart academic program, higher than AP.”

So the state championship 4A swimming season in 2004 that Neely coached this TJ school to will not likely be happening again anytime soon. It’s probably not fair to put all the blame on IB, but, some certainly, is fair to say.

“IB” stands for “International Baccalaureate,” which is a worthy program that helps kids get college scholarships. So that’s note-worthy.

Noting the power of the TJ swim program this season, there is one guy in particular that should do well for sure.

The Raiders’ most experienced and best potential swimmer to get to state this season is a sophomore, Jordan Gaspay. And he sees the effect of IB on the team.

“Some kids not swimming that were sophomores, and now are juniors, said they were really busy from the homework load (of IB),” said Gaspay.

So it’s true, on two accounts, Neely’s and Gaspay’s, that IB takes a toll on sheer numbers of TJ swimmers, for the boys anyway.

The girls have IB, too, but still seem to swim, noted Neely.

Gaspay, who won the 100 breaststroke at the South Puget Sound League meet as a freshman last year and who was on a couple relays that went on to districts after the league meet, explains what he is going to do when he enters the IB program next year.

Or, will Gaspay be in it?

“IB for sure,” said Gaspay.

So does that mean you’re outta here, off the swim TJ team as a junior like so many others have optioned to do?

“No, I will keep swimming,” said Gaspay, adding, “We will see how much compassion I have for them next year.”

Not everyone cuts out of the TJ high school program for IB. Some that make it work. How?

“Try to manage my time well,” said Gaspay. “I’ve heard junior year is pretty tough, but we got some IB kids out here.”

Just makes it tough when the team becomes fragmented from the IB program toll it sounds like. To each their own, as they say, and if IB is tougher than “AP” it does have to be very tough.

Gaspay says that he enjoys swimming for its benefits of disciplining him.

“I swim seven days a week,” said Gaspay, who is not just a high school swimmer, but on club, too.

This year’s Raiders team is going to be similar to last year’s season, 4-3 or 3-4, said Neely. That was not bad all things considered.

“Yeah, I didn’t expect it (a win-loss record that good),” said Neely.

Neely and her husband, assistant, Malcolm, coach this Raiders team together now. Malcolm also just got done coaching the Todd Beamer Titans girls team to a fourth place state finish. The top four in state get on the podium, so that was a nice “first” accomplishment for that school.

“No one’s had prior experience. Many have done lessons as kids,” said Wendy. “That’s OK if on the same level, but if other teams have kids with a prior history of swimming (club,etc.), it is a bit of a disadvantage.”

And these TJ swimmers are taking advantage of the good Neely is teaching in the water .

“If you look out at the lanes, 4, 5, 6, they’ve made a huge amount of progress,” said Neely, speaking of mostly freshmen that were out there last year at this preseason practicing time of year. TJ’s home pool, along with Decatur and Todd Beamer, is the King County Aquatic Center.

“Kids that couldn’t make it a quarter of the pool are now swimming (big distances),” said Neely.

Swimming a lot. The TJ swimmers in a recent practice were going back and forth, back and forth, as Wendy and Malcolm watched, observed and critiqued.

“Wendy and Malcolm are very good coaches,” said Gaspay. “They make us work harder, help us in our technique, and help us with our problems.”

Swim problems?

“Any problems,” said Gaspay.

Your stroke?

“Any problem,” said Gaspay again, saying, “They take care of us for sure. They will help you out if hurting. You can talk to them about anything.”

Malcolm is obviously a seasoned coach, too, having actually coached the TJ girls a few years back before taking Beamer from 11th at state last year to 4th this year. Malcolm got to state in events when he was n swimming back in 1978.

Nice to know these things as dual experienced coaches will help this mostly inexperienced team a lot this season.

This team is nice to know, too, says Gaspay.

“Yeah, we have a lot of juniors and sophomores,” said Gaspay. “We have a lot of returning swimmers from last year. We are going to have fun. See how many wins we can get, hopefully better than last year.”

For returners, Gaspay mentioned senior Jason Gaspay, his brother, and senior Kai Ory, and junior Reid Mayfield.

“This team is real nice, all close. We welcome the new kids,” said Gaspay. He says there are a lot of those too, that is, “new kids.”

“It’s the first time for many swimmers,” said Gaspay.

High school swimming, and learning, as Wendy said. That’s tough at this level.

“First time swimming and still sticking to it,” said Gaspay. “I admire them.”

Gaspay has a goal to get to state this year. A top eight finish at state means that he would get on the podium as an individual swimmer. Gaspay shied away from that, for now.

“I still have a couple years,” said Gaspay, who not only swims the 100-yard breaststroke well but also can do the four-stroke event that the purest swimmers do -- individual medley.

“Hopefully top eight in a couple years,” Gaspay said.