Chiefs swim, dive teams take first meet of season

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake boys swim and dive team made a big splash in the first regular season meet of the year, winning handily over the visiting swimmers from Wenatchee and Eastmont. The Chiefs earned top honors with 341 points. The Panthers came in second with a team score of 253, and the Wildcats brought up the rear with 198 points.

"We came out strong to start the season with a majority of lifetime best times," coach Tony St. Onge said. "We attribute this to working extremely hard the first time we splashed into the pool this year."

Freshman Brenden Eslick swam in mid-season form for Moses Lake, qualifying for state in the 200 yard freestyle.

"His time of 1:49.55 would have finaled at the state championships last year," St. Onge said. "His time of 55.56 in the 100 butterfly just missed state by .06. Needless to say, he won both of his events."

Freshman Zach Johnston was another double winner for the Chiefs, taking both the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. Sophomore Kaelan Connacher had a strong showing as well, winning the 100 freestyle.

"We had 13 swimmers make district qualifying standards in the first meet," St. Onge said. "This was a very good start on the season."

The Chiefs are out of action until Dec. 8, when they host Richland and Hanford at 4 p.m.