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Eastlake’s Kim eyes Omaha Wolves’ sophomore hopes to add more state titles and trip to Nationals BY JOSH SUMAN JSUMAN@BELLEVUEREPORTER.COM
Andy Pym knows how to motivate. After working with Eastlake sophomore Edward Kim on the Bellevue Club Swim Team since Kim was in elementary school, the longtime coach is aware of exactly what to say to make sure Kim is pushing himself to his limits. “At times when I’m not working hard he asks me, ‘do you think that will get you to Omaha?,� Kim said. “It drives me to work harder than I normally would.� The reference to Omaha points towards Kim’s goal of making the Olympic Trials later this year in Omaha, NE. Kim won the 100 and 50 free for Eastlake at the 4A state championships last season and knows there is more on the horizon in the pool as both a prep and accomplished club competitor, including a chance at the maximum eight individual titles at the state meet. He travelled to Stanford for the Junior Nationals and has swam at several other national club meets, learning some difficult lessons during the process after finishing 24th in one event and failing to make the finals in another. “I’m just thinking, ‘Wow, I’m not even close to the top right now and I need to work harder,� Kim said of his mindset after junior nationals. “They have probably worked twice as hard as I have.� Pym said initially, Kim was somewhat reserved in his passion for swimming. But as the time dropped and the records piled up, a light bulb went on and Kim’s potential in the pool
Ed Kim, a sophomore with the Eastlake Wolves boys swim team, targets a repeat of his two state titles last year. CHAD COLEMAN, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter became obvious to both swimmer and coach. “He’s dominated 15 and under locally and at the sectional level he’s pretty good, one of the top four or five,� Pym said. His swimming abilities are really natural.� While other club swimmers provide the type of top-level challenge Kim thrives on, the prep scene offers some unique opportunities as well. In his first year on campus at the high school, Kim has found swimming to be a bridge to other aspects of social life. “When I came to Eastlake I didn’t know everyone and the swim team helped me meet more people,� Kim said. “I grew to know more people through the swim team and that has been a big facet helping me fit in.� It would be easy for the multiple state champ to coast along on sheer ability on the prep level, where many
of his opponents swim for fitness and enjoyment rather than a shot at the Olympic Trails. But Eastlake coach Kate McCary (who also swam for Pym during her youth) insisted the exact opposite. “He does whatever he can to be part of both teams and he makes it all work,� McCary said. “It sets a positive environment for the whole team.� Rather than remaining content in Kim’s shadow, the rest of the Wolves have taken up the challenge of matching his intensity and dedication, earning a fifth place team finish at the 4A state swim and dive championships last season. Perhaps no one has benefitted more than 100 breaststroke champion Zach Alleva, a senior captain for McCary and Eastlake in 2012. “You don’t get to practice around guys that good very often,� said
Friday, January 13, 2012
Ready for a new challenge
W
hen the word first came down that I would be taking over the sports in Issaquah and Sammamish, there was a mix of emotions. Without a doubt, there was excitement at the opportunity of a new challenge: covering sports in one of the most passionate communities in our region and one I am linked to in so many ways. There was also some anxiety at the prospects of taking over for yet another WNPA Sportswriter of the Year in Kevin Endejan. Having grown up in Carnation when our local high school was Josh Suman still in KingCo, I vividly remember the sights and sounds that have made Issaquah and Sammamish two of the most respected areas in the entire state for prep sports. I remember watching Skyline struggle mightily with a team full of freshman during its first football season and then being awed three years later when Mitch Browne led the Spartans to a state championship. The buzz when Blake Hawksworth and Andy Sisco were two of the brightest pitching prospects in Washington for Eastlake is still fresh in my mind and later, I would play for Blake’s father Mark when we were both at Eastside Catholic. Issaquah’s 2004 senior class was legendary even in youth sports and a scrimmage with the multiple-time champs after they joined the GEJFA is still a vivid memory. As is watching that same group go toe-to-toe with Bellevue in the Tacoma Dome with a spot in the 3A finals on the line and then win the 3A title in baseball the following spring. Eastside Catholic is obviously a place I have plenty of memories from as a student and seeing the school realize the vision that was conceived during my years there has been interesting to say the least. While our coverage focus is changing along with our staff responsibilities, my hope is to continue to maintain and even grow the attention on Issaquah and Sammamish sports and recreation. I can’t forecast what exactly will become of the sports section, but I do know I’m going to put my best foot forward, listen to what our readers want in the paper and do everything in my power to make sure we cater to those desires and provide compelling, pertinent coverage of all things sports in Issaquah and Sammamish.
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