Manta Rays get set for a Big Weekend
Natilee Ruiz, left, Stephanie McFarland and Erica Anderson head for Age Sectionals at the King County Aquatic Center at Federal Way this weekend.<br>Lana Cromer/ Columbia Basin Herald
Ruiz leads pack of three to Federal Way for Sectionals
MOSES LAKE — Natilee Ruiz is looking to score big.
This weekend, the young swimmer from Othello heads to Federal Way to compete in the Northwest Age Group Sectional swim meet. The meet features the best of the best from the Northwest with Ruiz competing in six different events: 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyles, the 50- and 100-back, and the 200-individual medley.
She is ranked first in all but the two shorter freestyles in which she is second.
"Natilee is a great kid and a hard worker," said Moses Lake Manta Ray coach Tony Preston. "It has been a very rewarding experience for all parties involved to have her swimming with us."
Joining Ruiz at the meet are Erica Anderson and Stephanie McFarland.
Anderson is ranked in the top 10 in most of her six events and brings the most experience of the group having been there last year. McFarland qualified in three events.
"Having the experience of swimming in this pool in big meets will really help these girls to swim their fast times," Preston said, pointing out that McFarland swam in the Federal Way pool as a freshman at the state high school meet last November. "I have told them to just sit back, relax, and race and they will see their times drop."