Manta Rays gear up for 'A' championships

MOSES LAKE — There has been a lot of growth in the Moses Lake Manta Rays' program.

The proof is in the numbers. Last year, the Manta Rays took nine swimmers to the 'A' championships, this year that number has grown to 14.

Coach Tony Preston has been liking what he is seeing, especially as they try to resurrect a drubbed program.

"Especially for us because we have been building for five years," Preston said. "You hear Tony (St. Onge) talk about year round swimming for a long time and last year we took nine to the meet and this year we are taking 14."

It's not just the number of swimmers that makes Preston believe in the success of the program, but who is maintaining a spot on that swim team.

Currently, the Manta Rays' roster holds four high school boys swimmers, three of which never swam on the Manta Rays program, who just finished the high school season and qualified for the championship meet based on those high school times.

"They have been swimming for three months and are already seeing the benefits," Preston added.

The other benefit has been the increase in competition amongst those qualified for the meet. Preston said last year's representing team only qualified a handful of events, where as this year, each swimmer is averaging six events at the meet.

Catherine Polito, Natilee Ruiz and Erica Anderson have qualified for sectionals, which is the high school equivalent for the state championship and Preston believes Hannah Grigg and Heidi Anderson are on the bubble to make it past the 'A' championships and qualify for sectionals.

His only question mark is Stephanie McFarland, who just moved into a new age bracket.

"Stephanie just aged up and as you do that, the competition gets more fierce," Preston said. "The way she has been training, she has been focused and dedicated."

The 'A' championships will have swimmers from all over eastern Washington and northern Idaho at Central Washington University starting today through Sunday.