Manta Rays perform well at meet

SPOKANE - The Moses Lake Manta Rays placed eighth out of 17 teams  that competed  in the Inland Empire Swim Championships in Spokane over the weekend.  

More than 500 swimmers from  Washington, Oregon and Idaho took part in the three day event that saw several individual personal bests recorded.

"It was a strong showing for the Manta Rays as we were in the top five early," coach Jerry Johnston said. "The team was led by 8-year-old Zachary Washburn who won the 8 and under boys 50 free, 50 back, 50 fly and 100 free. He also placed second in the 10 and under 200 free and fourth in the 200 individual medley. He set new Inland Empire records in the 8 and under 50 free, 100 free, and 50 fly and has a pending 200 free record, making him the fastest 8-year-old to ever come out of the Inland Empire."

Washburn was also a member of a successful relay team. He along with Eric Kemper, Jackson Fair and Ian MacDougall placed first in the 10 and under boys 200 free and second in the 200 medley. In addition, Washburn placed second in the 50 breast and was 8 and under high point winner.

The top 16 finishers earn points in each event.

Washburn wasn't the only Manta Ray who had a successful outing at the championships.

Finishing in top eight were Kaelan Connacher who placed third in the mens 15 and over 100 and 200 backstroke, and Zack Johnston who placed second in the 1500 free, fourth in the 400 free and 400 individual medley, and eighth in the 200 free. He also placed fifth in the 200 back and sixth in the 100 back mens 15 and over.

Connacher and Johnston along with Brenden Eslick and Ben Breakey were on the 400 medley and freestyle relays  that placed fourth and third respectively. Eslick also placed fourth in the mens 15 and over 200 fly.

It was 11 year-old Noah Heaps who placed third in the boys 12 and under 400 free and was on the medley relay team with Jon Ovregaard, Luke MacDougall and Jere Johnston that placed third, and the free relay that placed fifth.

The boys 11 and 12 200 free "B" relay placed eighth.

Leading the way for the girls was Courtney Schwiesow who placed fourth in the womens 15 and over 100 breast and sixth in the 200 individual medley.

Abby Johnston finished sixth in the womens 15 and over 1500 free.

In the girls 12 and under group it was Cora Dana who placed fourth in the 50 free and Anna Fair who took fifth in the 50 fly, sixth in the 100 fly and eighth in the 50 back.

Both girls swam up an age group to join Megan Washburn and Addison Fair in the girls 14 and under 400 medley relay that finished sixth.

"The boys 10 and under was the strongest age of swimmers for the Manta Rays as Eric (Kemper) placed third in the 100 fly and 50 free, fourth in the 50 fly, fifth in the 100 free and  seventh in the 50 back," Johnston said. "Jackson (Fair) placed fourth in the 100 breast and seventh in the 50 breast. But the most impressive event was the 200 freestyle in which Zachary (Washburn) placed second and Ian (MacDougall), fourth. Erick took fifth, and Jackson, seventh."

All four will be back to swim in the short course championships in February."

The Manta Rays are back in the water this week as  Eslick and Schwiesow will be competing in the Senior Zones in Fresno, California.  

Connacher and  Johnston will be representing the Inland Empire in the Western Age Group Zone Championships Aug. 8-11 in Grand Junction, Colorado.

The Manta Rays are a year round swim program ranging in abilities from beginner to national level.

The team has a Masters swim program for adults 19-99 years of age.

For more information, call Jerry Johnston at (509) 760-6567 or visit the Manta Rays website at www. mlmr.org.