Peninsula Swimmers Take Second at League, District Championships

The Peninsula High School boys swim team delivered a dominant postseason, battling Gig Harbor for top honors at the Puget Sound League and District III Championships at Mount Tahoma High School. Despite finishing as runners-up in both meets, the Seahawks racked up podium finishes, state-qualifying performances, and school-record-breaking swims. 

Jonah Bergerson broke his own 100-yard butterfly school record of 52.03 he set three weeks before, finishing in 51.17 to win one of three league championships Jan. 31. He also won the 100-yard backstroke (53.72) and was part of the Seahawks first-place winning 200-yard medley relay team that also includes Tyler Givot, Owen Moore and Aiden Miller. Givot also won the 100-yard breaststroke (1:04.44) and took second in the 200-yard individual medley (2:12.90). 

Peninsula carried its momentum into the District III Championships Feb. 8, where the Seahawks once again stood out. The 200-yard medley relay team improved on their PSL-winning time, touching in at 1:43.00 to win the district title and qualify for state. Bergerson continued his postseason dominance at districts, shaving time off his butterfly to win in 51.49 — well under the state-qualifying mark. He then punched his second ticket to state with a commanding 53.72 in the backstroke. Givot will also swim the 100-yard backstroke at state after finishing third at districts with a time of 1:05.40. 

Givot, Miller, Moore and Bergerson qualified for state again after taking third in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Miller, Henry Moore, Travis Buell and Brandon Plitkins also qualified for state after placing fourth in the 400-yard freestyle relay. 

Diver Zachary Ruckle, who took fourth at state last year, wasn’t able to qualify this season. 

The 3A State Championships were held Feb. 20 to 22 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. Results were unavailable at press time but will be found at www.keypennews.org.