Girls Swimming / Western Conference Preview -- Ellis Wonders: Which Events? -- E-W Senior Has Earned Right To Swim `Whatever She Wants'

EDMONDS - The biggest obstacle Courtney Ellis might face come November really isn't that daunting.

Should the Edmonds-Woodway swimmer defend her titles in the 100-yard breaststroke and 200 individual medley? Should she try to win another title in the 500 freestyle, which she did as a sophomore? Or should Ellis try something new, which she did last year with so much success?

Well, says Edmonds-Woodway Coach Alicia Egashira, it really doesn't matter.

"Two years ago, she swam the 200 (freestyle) and 500 (freestyle), and last year, she totally switched," Egashira said. "She can just swim whatever she wants."

Ellis has done just that the past three seasons. She owns one state-meet record, three state titles in three events, and as the Warriors' 1998 dual meet season kicks off tomorrow, is starting to wonder which event to dominate her senior season.

"As far as state goes," said Ellis, offering a peak at the future, "I'm not sure what I want to do, but I'm thinking maybe the 200 IM and 500 free again, and maybe go for some state records."

Ellis, 17, enters her final prep season already as one of the most decorated individual swimmers in the Western 3A Conference. She won the 500 freestyle as a sophomore in 4:56.12, and then posted a pair of personal bests as a double All American in winning the 200 individual medley in 2:04.13 and the 100 breaststroke in a meet-record 1:04.17, 0.63 seconds ahead of the previous best, at last season's state meet.

In other state appearances, Ellis also was third in the 500 freestyle and sixth in the 200 freestyle as a freshman, and third in the 200 freestyle as a sophomore.

Ellis' versatility has ceased to surprise Egashira, who says the swimmer's inherent abilities, competitive drive and love for swimming have paved the way for her success.

"(Courtney) has a lot of internal motivation and she enjoys what she does, which really helps," Egashira said. "You're not stuck with some kid with a lot of talent that doesn't care how they do."

Is there an event she can't compete in?

"I'm not much of a backstroker, but I try," Ellis said, who was voted the meet's outstanding swimmer at last season's Class 3A/2A state meet.

But don't be fooled. She posted state-meet qualifying times in every individual event last season, including in what she says is her worst event.

Still, last season held its ups and downs, even if the bumps didn't show up in her performances. In addition to vying for a state title, Ellis was in the midst of working with a new club coach. Her former coach, once an instructor with the Mill Creek swim club who had taught Ellis since she was 11, had been hired to coach at Issaquah.

In a move she later found too difficult to make work, Ellis switched clubs to continue training with him.

"Issaquah is quite a long way, and it just took a toll on me, along with other issues I don't wish to go into," Ellis said. "It was just time to move on."

After a brief break from swimming in April, Ellis took up the sport fulltime again last summer, spending four hours in the pool each day and an hour of dryland training, time spent building body strength through plyometrics and isometrics, with her new coach, who works out of the Bellevue Club. She placed 38th in the 100 breaststroke at a national meet in California this summer, which featured Olympic gold medalists such as Amy Van Dyken.

Egashira said the stability already is evident.

"Last year, she had a lot of ups and downs with where she was training and with who she was training with," Egashira said. "But now she's really happy and solid."

Seemingly rejuvenated, Ellis is enjoying looking ahead. A 3.6 student, Ellis is hoping to sign early with a Division I school and is being recruited by California, North Carolina, Arizona State and Clemson. And she's still dreaming of making an Olympic debut in Sydney.

"Winning state is a confidence builder, but it's not as important as the Olympics or winning national championships," she said. "I know I have so much more potential. I just have to stick with the goals and not lose sight of them."

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WesCo swimmers and divers to watch

(Based on input from league coaches).

WESCO 3A.

Amy Ackerman, Shorecrest, so. - Megan's younger sister looking for first state trip in same events as sibling.

Megan Ackerman, Shorecrest, sr. - One of league's better distance swimmers looking for repeat state appearances in 200 and 500 frees.

Kelly Citron, Jackson, sr. - Sprinter's work ethic should pay off with state appearance in 50 and 100 frees.

Bridget Dillan , Edmonds-Woodway, jr. - District diving champion, eighth at state.

Courtney Ellis, Edmonds-Woodway, sr. - WesCo 3A's most decorated individual swimmer posted All-America times to win two state titles last season (200 IM in 2:04.13 and 100 breaststroke in meet-record 1:04.17); also was 500 free champion as a sophomore.

Melissa Fallon, Jackson, sr. - Placed in 100 fly at state but was DQ'd in 200 IM; versatile swimmer has potential to place in top 5 at state in both events, as well as 100 breaststroke.

Andrea Fountain, Lake Stevens, jr. - Top 12 district finisher in 200 IM and 500 free.

Ingrid Johnston, Everett, jr. - Looking for return trip to state in backstroke and butterfly.

Erin Koehler, Everett, sr. - Could be first-time state qualifier in diving.

Keri McManus, Meadowdale, sr. - Diver looking to improve upon fifth-place finish at state in '97.

Vicki Moorman, Shorewood, so. - District champion in 100 backstroke (1:03.83) looking for second straight trip to state.

Vonni Moorman, Shorewood, fr. - Hopeful state qualifier in 100 fly and 500 free.

Tanya Pater, Lake Stevens, so. - 17th at state in 50 free.

Stacy Swanson, Shorewood, sr. - League and district runner-up in 100 breaststroke, 20th at state in '97; also talented 200 IM swimmer.

Sara Thiel, Everett, jr. - Sprinter looking for return trip to state in 100 free.

Caitlyn Thompson, Lake Stevens, so. - Top 10 district placer in 100 backstroke and 200 IM.

Katie Weber, Edmonds-Woodway, sr. - State runner-up in 500 free; also in top eight in 200 free.

WESCO 4A.

Johannah Blue, Snohomish, so. - State qualifier in 200 IM and 100 breaststroke.

Ashley Boxman, Snohomish, so. - District runner-up in 200 free also fourth in 100 back at district.

Danielle Cuevas, Snohomish, sr. - Third in 50 free and 100 free at district.

Katherine Cuevas, Snohomish, so. - Top 11 at state in 100 fly and 100 back.

Alaina Cunningham, Mountlake Terrace, so. - Should return to state in 50 free.

Esther Edwards, Marysville-Pilchuck, so. - Diver was second at district and 15th at state.

Marion Gallagher, Cascade, so. - After narrowly missing state in breaststroke, a summer's worth of hard work should pay off. Sam Hall, Marysville-Pilchuck, sr. - Third at district and 17th at state in diving.

Emily Hutson, Marysville-Pilchuck, sr. - Perhaps best swimmer in league; district champion in 100 breaststroke and 200 IM; second at state in 100 breaststroke with All-America consideration time; as a sophomore, third at state in 100 breaststroke.

Jessica Kautz, Snohomish, sr. - State qualifier in 200 IM; eighth at state in 100 back.

Erica Lilliness, Kamiak, jr. - Strength is butterfly but versatile swimmer could reach state in a number of events.

Amara Marino, Cascade, jr. - Freestyle or butterfly, this Bruin is one to watch.

Caitlin McEathron, cq Sehome, sr. - Unusual combination of diving and sprinting; expects to improve after eighth-place finish at state in diving and 50 free.

Stacy Mullen, Cascade, so. - Narrowly missed state appearance last season in 100 breaststroke but should be a sure bet in '98.

Christine Neely, Snohomish, so. - Defending district and state champion in 100 backstroke.

Jenn New, Sehome, sr. - Placed 12th at state in 100 fly.

Bonna Pak, Mountlake Terrace, so. - State qualifier in breaststroke has cut at least a second off her '97 PR (1:12.04).

Gretchen Plank, Sehome, so. - Qualified for state in backstroke as a freshman, placed 16th.

Shannon Tracy, Cascade, so. - Improved leg strength should earn better result at state in 100 back.

Shayne Wilkens-Haigh, Mountlake Terrace, fr. - Nationally ranked synchronized swimmer has potential in butterfly.

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Water world.

With one season left, Courtney Ellis owns one state-meet record and three individual titles. A look at her accomplishments over her first three seasons at Edmonds-Woodway High School:

1997 - Swam All-America times to win two state titles; won 200 individual medley in 2:04.13 and set a state-meet record in 100 breaststroke (1:04.17); notched state-qualifying times in every individual event during season.

1996 - Won 500 freestyle state title in 4:54.93, nine seconds ahead of runner-up; also placed third at state in 200 freestyle.

1995 - Finished third in 500 freestyle and sixth in 200 freestyle at state.