FEDERAL WAY — Columbia River’s Monica Bottelberghe continued a career of dominance on Saturday night as she left the main pool of the King County Aquatic Center victorious for her third straight state championship in the 200-yard freestyle.
Tears of joy came to the eyes of Columbia River swimming coach Carol Sandison, and the champion was as poised as could be after winning another title before heading off to stay warm before her next events, the 100 freestyle and the 200 relay.
In the prelims, Bottelberghe cruised to a high placement with the best time by nearly three seconds, a time she said she wasn’t expecting.
However, in the final, she faced a little bit tougher opposition in Seattle Prep’s Cameron Smith but outkicked all of her opponents down the home stretch to win the title by a little under one second in 1:50.86.
It wasn’t long ago that Bottelberghe wasn’t even sure that she would have the opportunity to defend her title after she had to have her thyroid removed because of a cancer scare.
“So many weeks ago, I didn’t even think I was going to be able to compete at this meet,” Bottelberghe said. “To be here, it makes me so happy.”
As for the other events, she was proud of River’s ninth-place finish in the 200 relay as well as her third-place finish in the 100 freestyle (51.66), especially because the winner, Emma Chard of Foss, is a “baby Bronco” — a fellow Boise State signee.
As far as what’s next, Bottelberghe isn’t looking too far ahead but feels that she will compete in the senior sectionals in March and has a bigger goal of qualifying for the NCAA meet next year when she is at Boise State.
Sandison didn’t have much to say after her champion competed in her final race.
“I’m just so proud of her. She’s done,” Sandison said.
Mountain View’s Darya Samiee placed in two championship finals — fifth in the 500 freestyle (5:10.55) and seventh in the 200 individual medley (2:10.03).
In the Class 4A meet in the morning, Camas’ Julianne Reed placed seventh in the 100 free in 54.54.
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