This is the eighth and final week of a look at MIHS fall sports.

A year ago, they felt they had something special. Turns out, the swimmers on the Mercer Island girls swim and dive team were right. Winning their first state title in 11 years, the Islanders finally accomplished what had seemed to be always just out of reach. Hitting the pool deck this fall, the swimmers were ready, more than ever, to prove it was possible again.

“It’s a good kind of pressure on the team,” said senior captain Alyssa Hatsukami. Made even faster this season by a crew of freshman, the Islanders have had a solid season going into their final weeks, with just a non-conference loss to 4A state champs Skyline on their record.

“Skyline (was our best meet),” said Lauren Poli, another of the senior captains. “We know we could have beat them. We did really well.”

Head coach Chauntelle Johnson said she has been beyond impressed with how the team has stayed focused this season, accomplishing its goals in the pool, even if the team didn’t beat the Spartans.

“Even though they didn’t walk away with the win, they (Skyline) pushed us to a level we haven’t been to yet this season. By far, top to bottom, it was our best meet,” said the coach. Now, she said, the team will have to continue that momentum into the coming weeks.

“I don’t feel like we have a weak event,” said Johnson. “Somewhere, everybody fits; somewhere, everyone belongs.”

As the pieces have fallen together, the captains said a big focus for them this season was team bonding — building their relationships in and out of the pool.

“The season has been going well,” said captain Lizzie Tao. “At the beginning of the season, the captains said we wanted to put a big emphasis on bonding and being a fast, cohesive team. This year, there’s been more excitement, and we try to make it fun. These girls are dedicated to the sport.”

Obviously, Poli, Hatsukami, Tao and the fourth captain, Briauna Azer, had a solid plan.

“Everyone has been so excited about this season,” said Hatsukami, who swims mostly freestyle events. “We’re looking forward to state.”

A big part of the team sitting solidly where it is in KingCo is that there is a place for everyone, as Johnson said.

“The freshman are very focused and fast. They came in ready to go,” she said. “They came in excited to be a part of the program and have fit so well with the other girls, it’s really been seamless.”

But with several big regular season matches left on the schedule, including Bellevue and Bainbridge, the team still has work to be done.

“We have to work on the little things,” Johnson said. “Focus on sharp turns, when to breath. The small pieces of the races — that’s where we are. Doing the little things the right way add up to something.”

Johnson said a huge number of girls on the team are already qualified for state or the postseason. She said the team will rely just as much on the girls who have qualified in multiple events as the those who have qualified in just one race.

“Some of the girls, even those who are in one event, will be important,” she said.

Another big part of the team’s success this season has been the divers, Johnson said.

“Diving has been really big this season,” she said. “They are very good and such an important part of the meets.” Vanessa Gaffney qualified for state last fall, and both she and Meg Lindsey are on track this season to make the postseason.

But before the team heads to the King County Aquatic Center, it will have to get through the KingCo and district meets. However, many girls have already qualified, and no matter the pressure that the team might feel to be repeat champs this season, they are having fun in the pool, which they know helps them go faster.

“We swim faster when we’re having fun,” said Poli.

The team will swim against Bellevue this Thursday afternoon at Mary Wayte Pool, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The team hosts Bainbridge next Tuesday in the final dual meet of the regular season.

State qualifiers

The following swimmers have race times which have automatically qualified them for the state meet (as of Oct. 8):

• Caitlin Cox (100 back)

• Danielle Deiparine (200 free, 200 IM, 100 breast)

• Kira Godfred (100 back, 100 breast)

• Sara Gluck (100 breast)

• Maddie Larkin (200 IM, 100 back)

• Natalie Marques (100 breast)

• Lauren Poli (50 free, 100 fly, 100 breast)

• Alex Seidel (200 IM, 50, free, 100 free, 100 back)

• Grace Wold (200 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 100 fly, 100 free, 100 back, 100 breast)

The team has qualified for state in the following relays: 200 medley relay, 200 free relay and the 400 free relay.