The end of an era

After six years Tony Preston is calling it quits

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Family Aquatic Center is quiet and nearly empty Thursday afternoon as the Manta Rays swim team slowly wanders in to begin pre-practice stretches.

Coach Tony Preston sits in a chair, shaded from the afternoon sun and warmth, watching over his team like a benevolent older brother.

"I hope they get someone better than me," Preston says between barking orders at the team.

Preston began coaching the Manta Rays five years ago and has fostered the program into something impressive. The team has continued to grow as new interest in swimming has been sparked and trips equivalent of regional championships has helped fan that spark.

"I always want (the team) to improve but I also want to create more participation and for (the team) to have fun," said Preston.

For the last two years the Manta Rays swim team has been swimming, and competing, year round and this winter season the effort paid off. The Manta Rays sent one swimmer to the senior sectionals, a meet that features the best Eastern Washington and North Idaho have to offer, and three swimmers to the age group sectionals.

Preston graduated from high school in Moses Lake and spent a year at Washington State University before transferring to Central Washington University to swim and go to school.

He came back to Moses Lake to teach math and started coaching swimming and soccer.

After the championships, the last weekend of July, Preston will begin easing out of his coaching duties.

"I would like to have a hand in training the new coach, show them what I've done and let them take it from there," said Preston.

Preston says that it is not out of the realm of possibility that he could return to Moses Lake.

"Moses Lake is awesome but it's my turn to go," Preston said.