Sports

Tides’ Drew Huston wins state 200 IM title, breaks five school records

Drew Huston won a state title and broke five Gig Harbor High School records during the Washington Swimming and Diving Championships Friday and Saturday at King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

The senior broke the 2013 mark of Evan Indahl, another state champ, in winning the 200 individual medley prelims and then eclipsed his own record in the finals in an all-American consideration time of 1:50.65.

“As well as he was swimming, we knew he had something special coming up at the state meet,” said Tides coach Mike Kelly. “ … In the finals last night he put together the race of a lifetime. … He had a heckuva great meet. We were proud of him. ”

Gig Harbor swim coach Mike Kelly and state title holder Drew Huston. Photo courtesy of Mike Kelly

Huston finished third in the 100 butterfly finals after setting a school-record of 49.62 in prelims, bettering Billy Oates effort of 49.9 in 2019.

Huston led off the 400 relay in a school-best 46.60 100 meters in the prelims and improved upon that with a 46.22 in the finals, another all-American consideration time. The previous mark was set by Erik Nielsen in 2014. Huston teamed with Ryan Nagata, London Oates and sophomore brother Grant Huston to place 11th in the event. The Huston brothers, Coats and Emmett Scott combined to finish 12th in the 400 free relay.

Grant Huston placed 14th in both the 200 free and 500 free, in his second-best and season-best times.

“Grant’s got a real bright future ahead,” Kelly said. “ … We’re really pleased with his year and he’ll definitely be one of the team leaders in the two years to come.”

GP Puccio, Jake Klipper and Taylor Gore placed in two events. Photo courtesy of Mike Kelly

The Tides fared well in the two adaptive events for mentally and physically challenged swimmers. In the 50 free, Giancarlo Puccio, Jake Klipper and Taylor Gore finished second, third and fifth, all in lifetime-best times. In the 50 back, Puccio placed second, Klipper third and Gore seventh.

“All three of them made us so proud last night,” Kelly said. “They really did a fantastic job.”

Mercer Island ran away with the team title with 367.5 points, followed by Lakeside with 258 and Bellevue with 194. Gig Harbor was 12th with 64 points.

“It was a very challenging season,” Kelly said. “You had the pandemic impacting the team and other challenges, but at the end of the year they came together and really put forth a great effort. I was pleased and proud of what they accomplished at the state championships.”