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RICHLAND -- Joe Wertz of Hanford and Cody Roberts of Richland were each selected as CBBN Swimmers of the Year -- Wertz in the 3A division for the third year in a row, and Roberts clinched the 4A nod solo for the first time, having shared the honor in 2008 with Forrest Crain of Wenatchee.
"It's very well deserved," said Kathy Piper, who coaches both teams, of the seniors' accomplishment. "There are some awesome swimmers in the league but really, to be honest, Cody and Joe are head and shoulders above the rest."
Roberts, who signed with the University of Washington before the season, comes into this weekend's state meet in Federal Way as the defending state champion in the 100-yard butterfly and runner-up in the 100 back.
He has the state's top 4A time in the fly by more than 2 seconds, but he's more pumped about Richland's state chances in the 400 freestyle relay, an event he anchors for team members Nathaniel Weinman, Tyler Pickett and Eric Blanchard, an event in which the Bombers placed fourth a year ago.
"This year we have a shot to win it, and we really want to get that All-American time in the relay," Roberts said. "We've come so far ... It's everybody's contribution. It's not a one-man thing."
Piper is confident but cautious.
"It's up for grabs," she said. "They have the potential to possibly win the 200 medley and 400 free relays. We'll just have to see who has what left at the end of the meet. It's a long weekend, but the kids are fired up and ready for it."
For his part, Wertz (a Seattle University signee) is hoping to break 52 seconds in the 100 back for the Falcons -- 53.08 was his district time. But he isn't placing any bets on the 200 IM, in which his season-best time of 1:58.02 from districts is still almost 4 seconds behind state leader Alexander Hoff of Mercer Island.
"I am super nervous for the 200 IM," said Wertz, who placed fourth at state in both events a year ago. "The guys I'm racing are super talented and have crazy-fast times. I want to keep up with them ... it's gonna be fun."
But Roberts was more positive about his fellow Channel Cat's chances and said, "He has a very good chance to place high, if not win."
And with the capstone to their high school swimming careers just days away, neither Roberts nor Wertz hesitated when asked to recall their fondest memory of their favored sport.
"When we took third at state overall (last year) after taking 12th sophomore year," Roberts said, "that was overwhelming. That was an awesome experience. The adrenaline rush kind of hit us at North Bend and we fell asleep afterwards. We had a big-time adrenaline crash."
"Definitely winning districts this year," Wertz said. "With Camas we were up and down, the scores were this way and that way and it came down to the last relay. We were super hyped up and dominated, got the district title and it was perfect."
Piper, who led both the Falcons and the Bombers to their first district titles, was named 3A Coach of the Year, but perhaps the greater honor is the praise she gets from her two standouts.
"The Richland and Hanford teams are basically new to the whole scene," Wertz said. "To have two district (team) champs is quite the accomplishment. She definitely put the effort in to get us that good."
Roberts credited Piper's patience as well as the contributions of assistant coach Randy Willis.
"It's kind of what she's done over the past few years, dealing with a group of guys like us," Roberts said. "We like to goof off a lot, so it was a pretty good accomplishment. ... [Randy] is very good at inspiring us to go beyond what we think we're capable of. He does a pre-meet speech for us, gets us pumped up."
But if Piper has any say, those memories of past -- if relatively recent -- glories could be replaced this weekend.
"We're ready. The boys are fired up and ready to go," she said. "If the meet was tomorrow, look out Federal Way because the boys are ready.
"They're used to swimming five miles or more a day," Piper added. "Like wind-up dolls, they're ready to go."
