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Article: HIGH TIDE AT MERCER ISLAND LOWELL-COACHED ISLANDERS STAND FIRM AMONG 3A SWIMMING ELITES.(Sports)
- Article from:
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer
- Article date:
- January 2, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of the Dialog Corporation by Gale Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: JEFF GRAHAMSpecial to the P-I
Rick Wertman's voice faltered on the phone as he struggled to talk about his storied career as coach of the Mount Rainier boys swim team.
In his 16 seasons at the school in Des Moines, Wertman's Rams claimed six Class 3A state team titles (1991, 1993, 2001, 2003-05), and he coached 15 individual state champions. Only once, in 2000, did Wertman's team finish outside the top four.
Leaving Mount Rainier after winning his final crown in 2005, it is clear Wertman's heart still breaks for the program he originally didn't want to join - and for the dynasty he left behind.
"I feel bad because I left 50 ...