Chiefs swim and dive gets by Wenatchee

WENATCHEE - The Moses Lake High School boys swim and dive team made a big splash in Wenatchee Thursday when the Chiefs out swam the Panthers 100-86. The meet was close throughout as Moses Lake held an eight point lead at the mid-way point.

"We came out with determination in the first relay event and won by a narrow margin as senior Damian Cachiotti came from behind to just touch out the Wenatchee swimmer," coach Tony St. Onge said. "We followed with wins in the next two events with a first by freshmen Zach Johnston in the 200 free and freshmen Brenden Eslick in the 200 individual medley."

Coming out after halftime, the Chiefs reeled off four consecutive wins by junior Jacob Price in the diving competition, sophomore Kalen Connacher in the 100 fly, freshmen Brenden Eslick in the 100 freestyle, and freshmen Zach Johnston in the 500 free.

"This allowed us to build a comfortable 18 point lead, which was a good thing because Wenatchee won three of the final four events," St. Onge said. "The solo win by the Chiefs came from double winner Kalen Connacher in the 100 Backstroke."

Moses Lake won seven out of 12 events, but the real story St. Onge said, was the effort by the second and third swimmers in each event.

"We had a great effort from each and that depth is what helped us swim to the win," St. Onge said. "We especially had great individual efforts by Reid Jackson, who toughed it out by swimming injured and senior Nick Reed, who switched from his normal sprint events to distance events."

Notable also was senior Nick Phillips who swam to a pair of individual best times to ace his opponent in both events.

"This win was a result of a total team effort," St. Onge said. "It gives the guys a positive boost going into our traditional Christmas training."

The Chiefs swim and dive team is back in the water after the New Year when they travel to Walla Walla Jan. 3.