Manta Rays make big splash at championship

CLARKSTON - The Moses Lake Manta Rays Swim Team sent 13 swimmers to the Inland Empire 14 & Under Championships on Feb. 11-12 where almost 300 swimmers from Oregon, Washington and Idaho competed. 

All  of the Moses Lake Manta Rays swimmers took home medals and included some standout performances.

Some of the standout swims were by the Boys' 8-and-under 100-yard medley relay and 100-yard freestyle relay which took first place in both while setting new meet records and team record. 

The relays consisted of Zachary Washburn, Jesse Johnston, Eric Kemper and Jackson Fair. 

Jackson also had several top three finishes and a team record in the 50-yard backstroke. 

Ten-year-old Halle Johnston had two first place finishes and set a meet record in the 50-yard butterfly and 12-year-old James Nicorici also won two events and had several more top three finishes. 

Megan Washburn won the 11-and-12-year-old girls 50-yard butterfly and nine-year-old JoJo Johnston won the boys  11-and-12-year-old 50 butterfly. 

Jeremiah Johnston placed top three in all his events,  Janice Pryor, Anna Fair, and Emily Johnston all received top eight medals, and many other swimmers all qualified to swim in the "A" IE championships to be held in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho on Feb. 24-27, joining top swimmers from across the region.  

Ranked in the top of the region, Manta Ray swimmers joining them at the championships are Brenden Eslick, Zack Johnston, Corey Bradshaw, Kaelen Connacher, Reid Jackson, Noah Heaps, Courtney Schwiesow, Jordan Richeson, Abigail Johnston, Joelle, Kelly and Amber Garrett.