Susan Simpkins is breathing a little easier these days.

For the first time in four years, her Skyline girls swim team isn't carrying the weight of being heavy Class 4A state championship favorites. Yet, the Spartans are still in contention.

"We're definitely not the favorites, which is a nice change," said Simpkins, who's coached the Spartans for four years. "I think it's going to be a fun meet."

Skyline goes into the state swimming championships at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way Friday and Saturday as one of five teams expected to battle for the 4A title.

Richland, Newport, Cascade of Everett and Mount Rainier also are top challengers for a trophy won by Skyline the past three seasons.

"It's always exciting right now," Simpkins said. "I think I get more nervous than the girls. We're just coming into this with good thoughts."

Newport coach Eric Bartleson is hoping his Knights continue to make waves.

Newport has stolen much of Skyline's thunder this season, earning the 4A KingCo dual-meet title, finishing ahead of the Spartans (but behind 3A Mercer Island) at the KingCo Championships, then winning the Sea-King District crown for the first time since the mid-1980s.

The Knights will be represented well at the state meet with 18 entries compared to 19 for Skyline, 17 for Mount Rainier, 15 for Richland and 12 for Cascade.

However, in terms of quality, Richland leads the pack with seven entries seeded in the top four, compared to six for Newport, five for Cascade, three for Mount Rainier and two for Skyline.

The Bombers are led by junior Lisa Bratton, the top seed in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke; and University of Idaho-bound Nicole Weinman.

"We're kind of used to being under the radar," said Richland coach Kathy Piper, whose team is seeking its first state title. "We kind of like it that way."

The team races are often decided by the team with the best relays. Although each of the five contenders in the 4A team race are entered in all three relays, Richland and Newport boast the fastest times.

Newport is seeded No. 1 and Richland No. 2 in both the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. The Bombers are seeded No. 1 and the Knights ninth in the 200 freestyle relay.

Relay winners earn 40 team points compared to 20 points for first place in an individual event.

Cascade is seeded in the top four of two relays.

"Most of the teams have three or four really strong swimmers," Bartleson said. "It's going to be who swims better in prelims and who comes back and either improves or maintains their times from the previous day."