MLHS boys swimming continues dominance

MOSES LAKE - Brendan Eslick qualified for state in his fifth event and five more Chiefs qualified for the district championships as Moses Lake cruised to three wins in its dual meet against Eisenhower, Davis and Sunnyside.

Moses Lake defeated Sunnyside 135-35, Eisenhower 143-38 and Davis 122-57 improving its record to 4-0 this season.

"We had the mindset going into the meet that it was all about going for times and pushing to that next level," head coach Tony St. Onge said. "State for some and districts for others."

After a blazing time of 1 minute, 49.49 seconds in the 200-yard freestyle, Eslick was able to qualify for state in 5/8 individual events so far.

Thursday's performance saw five more Chiefs qualify for the district championshps. Jaime Vela and Devon Mccornack both qualified for the 200-yard freestyle swimming under the automatic qualifying time of 2 minutes, 29.99 seconds. St. Onge said their performances psyched some of the other swimmers up.

Andrew Phipps was able to qualify for districts in the next event, the 200-yard individual medley, with a time of 2 minutes, 43 seconds. He also qualified in the 100-yard back stroke.

Jordan Bowen and Skylar Mitchell qualified for the 100-yard breast stroke in the final individual event of the meet.

Moses Lake now has 17 swimmers qualified for the district championships.

Tristiane Randall won the diving competition for the third straight week.

"Tristiane has upped his degree of difficulty and is now doing dives that include a front two and half sommersault, a back two sommersault and a reverse two sommersault," St. Onge said. "These are tough dives for any high school diver and as soon as he improves his form on these tough dives he will be a force in this event."

St. Onge added that move divers will have an opportunity to qualify for the district standard after the Christmas break when the 11-dive competitions begin.

Kaelan Connacher took first in the 100-yard breast stroke, Eslick placed first in the 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard back stroke, Madison Molitor won the 50-yard freestyle and Zack Johnston won the 500-yard freestyle.

The Chiefs also swept all three relays.

Moses Lake returns to the pool Jan. 7 when the team travels for a dual meet against Eastmont.