Federal Way and Thomas Jefferson went at it in boys swimming Tuesday and even though the Raiders took this one easily place-wise, winning 9 of 11 races, the final score said different with the Eagles hanging in there until the very end. Federal Way only lost, 88-81, to its South Puget Sound League North rivals at the Federal Way Community Center.

"It was a close one. It can't get much closer than that," said Malcolm Neely, filling in for assistant coach Wendy Neely, who had to take their diver to get checked out medically after he hit his head on the bottom of the pool in the diving portion of this day's dual meet competition.

"Our varsity diver went down," said Neely of Jeff Pratt. "He's done pretty good. He's got all his dives together."

The best racer of the day was Jordan Gaspay, who went to state last year in the 100 yard breaststroke, taking fourth in the consolation finals. He also won the 200 Individual Medley on this day in 2 minutes,19.90 seconds.

Gaspay's times were good enough. The 1:06.99 in the 100 breast Neely said was his best time. And that is good to be doing some best times because he wasn't even swimming much of late.

"I'm getting better," said Gaspay, a junior on the Raiders. "Still recovering from an injury. I just had surgery on my ankle a couple months back."

What?

"Fractured fibula," said Gaspay. "Got a plate put in and seven screws."

"Breakdancing," said Malcolm Neely of what Gaspay was doing. "He didn't 'break' right on something."

Gaspay is on pace for state even though he had to make up for lost time out of the water.

"It will just take some training, some time," said Malcolm Neely.

Gaspay broke right on this day, winning his two races, and Gaspay will be ready when state comes around even though his goal goes further than just getting there.

"I want to get the TJ record in the 100 breaststroke," said Gaspay. "The best time is 1:00.18."

And you went at state last year with your fourth place finish in consolation finals?

"1:02," he said.

So, Gaspay's close. He's only a junior.

Malcolm Neely, and of course head coach Wendy -- who coached the Raiders to a state title in 2004 -- will lead him along.

"Our coaches do fine," said Gaspay of the Neelys. "They are someone we see as role models."

The Eagles' junior captain, Nathan Jowatt, won the 100 freestyle, going a 59.80. He's having fun out there. Not just doing his own thing swimming and he said he has a goal to get to districts, which coach Carla Boone echoed would be a good goal for Jowatt. But he also was cheering on teammates when he wasn't racing his races.

"Go Alex, c'mon, Alex," cheered Jowatt, as teammate and other captain, Alex Tran, swam the 500.

"Everyone needs the motivation to finish it, it's a really long race,' said Jowatt, who was also on the winning 400 free relay for the Eagles.
Jowatt talked about other teammates that could also get to districts.

"Reed Collins in the 200 IM and 100 breast. He has district times in them," said Jowatt, mentioning Chase McLaughlin to at least get to league qualification like Jowatt, who has made it in the 100 and 50 free for that point of the season.

"I'm hoping for our 200 medley relay," said Jowatt, stepping up where he thinks the Eagles could qualify. "That is our best shot at qualifying for state."

For himself, and the 100 or 50 free, what is his favorite and best event for getting somewhere this season?

"The 50," said Jowatt. "I'm more of a short burst of speed swimmer. I like the faster pace."

What do you like best about it?

"I like the competitiveness of the event (50 free)," said Jowatt.

Boone said, "I am optimistic that Nathan will make it to districts in a single event."

Boone likes her team's effort.

"They are working very hard," said Boone.

Jowatt, a good leader and swimmer out there?

"He always gives 100 percent no matter what he is swimming," said Boone, who said that Jowatt is versatile for her team.

"He has to be in different events every meet," said Boone, who co-coaches with Tammy Taylor for the Eagles. "We have a lot of brand new swimmers. So we don't have much depth. So the ones that know how to swim have to swim all the hard events."

Boone mentioned swimmers that are not brand new, that is, those back from last season like Seth Powell, Tran, McLaughlin, and, Jowatt.

"They are our key returners," said Boone.

Boone mentioned some new guys too, freshmen Nick Picardo, Trace Gooden, for two, along with Jacob Baxter, a sophomore. So, if one hears all these names, it's understood that there is only one senior in the bunch, McLaughlin.

"We have a lot of new kids new to swimming," said Boone. "But they are working hard and doing well."

Winners in this race were Miles Jones in the 200 free in 2:25.25, and Jones in the 500 free in 6:27.69. Jason Kim won in 1:06.34 in the 100 butterfly and Mayfield in the 100 back won in 1:11.30. And the Raiders, who won all those just mentioned races, took the 200 medley and 200 free relay with Kim, McKay Owsley, Mayfield and Gaspay doing that work.

The Eagles made it close in the 50 free. Owsley was first for the Raiders in 24.25, but right behind was McLaughlin in 24.44 and then the Raiders' Mayfield in 24.53. So that race was a little different, since the Eagles also got fourth and fifth place points, and the outcome could have been different despite the Raiders winning 9 of 11 races.

The final race to note, the 400 free, was won by the Eagles in first and second places so that was good for them from the above mentioned cast helping make up the two teams for that hard working group this season.

"They almost got us there at the end," said Malcolm Neely. "They went 1-2 so 12 points to our two points.

But it was enough. Just enough to win over their rivals, whom they will see again at the league meet in the middle of January, then at districts after that and depending on who could qualify, at state.

But let's not get ahead of things, for either team.

Boone is just wanting to see her team working hard out there -- like they are doing --and take it one step at a time and get where they may at the end.

"I'm looking to make districts in relays," said Boone.

Said Neely, speaking for his wife and the Raiders, "We are pretty strong in spots. We have some work to do. A couple other swimmers will help us when eligible (getting in enough practices or grades). Things are going good. We have a lot of season left to develop. They are pretty coachable."