Manta Rays go full-term

by Brad Redford<br>Herald Sports Writer
| June 23, 2004 9:00 PM

The Moses Lake Manta Rays are finally where they want to be.

This summer has marked the first time since the 1999-2000 swim season that the Manta Rays have been able to have a year-long team and many thanks go out to the Moses Lake High School pool.

Since the pool opened last summer, the Manta Rays have seen an increase in the participation level of swimmers in Moses Lake. The payout has been a true feeder program for the Moses Lake High School boys and girls swim teams.

"The swim teams at Moses Lake definitely feed each other and have a great relationship," swim coach Tony Preston said. "We help each other coaching and I have considered Tony (St. Onge) to be my mentor."

The program has grown to 50 swimmers, including college swimmers Melanie and Brad Grant (BYU), Ben Ingersoll (Ithaca) and Kayla Littlefield (WSU).

Preston believes with the two swimming practices held daily, in the morning at the Moses Lake Aquatic Center and in the afternoon at the Moses Lake High School, is on a five-year track period to bring the program at its peak performing capabilities, but meanwhile, has seen the rise of younger swimmers who have already put a mark on the Manta Rays program.

"It is starting to really fall into place," Preston said. "I have never really been a part of this and I am learning as we go."

Of course, with the Summer Olympics starting this summer in Athens, Greece, Preston said the desire to swim and get on the four-year track period generates interest in the sport of swimming.

The Moses Lake Manta Rays swim practices start at 7:15 every morning at the aquatic center and 3 p.m. at the Moses Lake High School. Both practices are two hours long and the program is still accepting swimmers to the program.

"The future of our team is looking good," Preston said. "We knew in five years, we would see a difference."