Prep Swimming | Twice as nice for Juanita's seniors

MERCER ISLAND — For Juanita swimmers Emilee Kaufman and Kelly Tannhauser, the 2009 swim season could already be filed away under Mission Accomplished. But they agree collecting a few more medals at next week's state meet would be a nice bonus.

The two seniors, both two-time individual event winners at Saturday night's Sea-King 3A District championships at Mary Wayte Pool, have already committed to swim at Division I colleges next season, Kaufman at Rutgers, Tannhauser at South Carolina.

The two friends also own all but one Juanita swim record, a goal they set for themselves as freshmen. Tannhuser, in fact, took the 100-yard backstroke record from Kaufman this season. Kaufman turned the tables by claiming the 100 freestyle record that Tannhauser owned.

"We kind of swapped," Kaufman said with smile.

Mercer Island used its depth to win the district team title with 289 points, followed by Juanita (200), Bellevue (167.5), Bainbridge (159) and Holy Names (118).

Kaufman, who in Friday's preliminary heat set an All-American time (1 minute 4.35 seconds) in the 100 breaststroke, bettered that time in Saturday night's finals (1:04.24). She also placed first in the 50 free (24.37). Kaufman plans to swim both events at state.

Tannhauser, the youngest of four Tannhauser siblings to win a state title, took first in the 200 free (1:54.45) and 500 free (5:06.51). Tannhauser has won a state crown in the 200 free the past two seasons.

Kaufman spent five years training as a synchronized swimmer and now specializes in what most consider one of swimming's toughest stroke.

"Training for synchronized swimming helped me give a good sense of what my body is doing," Kaufman said. "It's easier for me because I know what to adjust."

Notes

• Kaufman and Tannhauser both swam on Juanita's winning 200- and 400-free relays. The only Juanita record they don't own is the 500 free, set by Kelly's sister, Jaime, a 2002 Juanita grad.

"That's OK," Kaufman said. "We kept it in the family."

• Mercer Island freshman Grace Wold won two events, the 100 backstroke (57.74) and 200 individual medley (2:07.31), both in All-American-qualifying times. Wold senior teammate, Jennifer Pak, won the 100 free (54.32). Wold swam the lead leg for MI's winning 200 medley relay.

• Erin MacLean, a senior from Bellevue, won the 100 butterfly (58.92). Celia Pinczower of Juanita won the 1-meter diving (392.6 points).