Chiefs swim, dive drops dual meet

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake High School swim and dive team found the waters at the Chiefs pool a bit unsettling last night as the team lost a dual meet to Richland and Hanford.

Moses Lake was in the thick of it with Richland, 98-88, but were out swam by Hanford, 111-72.

"We had great times from start to finish in the face of some great competition against two of the

better teams in the state," coach Tony St. Onge said. "We were down from the beginning and kept hanging in there and made a few good runs, but ultimately came up a little short against Richland."

Nearly every event featured close races, St. Onge said, and although the team was barely out touched in many, the Chiefs were in each race and challenged both teams.

"Freshmen Brenden Eslick swam a state qualifying standard in the 100 butterfly with a time of 55.45, giving him two state times," St. Onge said. "Sophomore Kalen Connacher, again this week, was a double winner against Richland. He was close to automatic state times in the 200 I.M. with a 2:07, and once again in the 100 freestyle with a 52.08."

Freshmen Zach Johnston was close to state times as well with a 1:00.31 finish in the 100 backstroke and 5:10.49 in the 500 freestyle.

"We had a lot of swimmers make district qualifying times in this meet too," St. Onge said. "So far, 14 Chiefs have made the standard."

The Chiefs are back in the water to take on the Panthers in Wenatchee Dec. 15.