Manta Rays return home

MOSCOW, Idaho - The Manta Ray Aquatics Swim Team placed 6th at the Inland Empire Swimming Championships in Moscow, Idaho over the weekend.

Led by 9-year-old Zachary Washburn who was high point winner in the Boys 10 and Under age group, the team cracked the top 6 for the first time in many years.

Washburn placed first in six events along with a second and sixth place to lead all 9-10 year old boys. He joined Eric Kemper, Jackson Fair and Ian MacDougall in the 200 freestyle relay for a first place finish, and just missed the meet record by a half-second.

The same group of boys also placed second in the 200 medley relay. Washburn, Eric Kemper, Ian MacDougall, Luke MacDougall, Kaelan Connacher and Zack Johnston qualified in individual events for the Age Group Sectionals to be held in Federal Way March 22 to 24. Brenden Eslick qualified for Senior Sectionals, which will also be held in Federal Way March 14 to 18.

Race results

10 & Under Boys

Zack Washburn: First in the 200 free, 100 free, 50 free, 100 fly, 50 fly, and 100 individual medley. He took second in the 200 individual medley and sixth in the 50 breaststroke.

Eric Kemper: Third 200 free, 50 free, 100 fly and 50 fly, and sixth in the 200 individual medley and 50 backstroke

Ian MacDougall: Fourth 100 free, 100 fly, seventh 200 individual medley, eighth 200 free.

Jackson Fair: Fifth 50 back, seventh 50 breast, 100 back, 100 individual medley and 100 breast.

11 & 12 Girls

Cora Dana: Second 50 free, fourth 50 fly, sixth 100 back and seventh in the 100 free.

11 & 12 Boys

Luke MacDougall: Second 100 and 200 and 1650 freestyle, third in the 50 and 500 free, fourth in the 200 individual medley, 50 fly and 100 individual medley

Noah Heaps: Third 1650 free, sixth 100 free, eighth 200 free.

Jere Johnston: Fifth 1650 free, eighth 50 fly.

13 & 14 Girls

Anna Fair: Fifth 200 fly.

15 & Over Boys

Brenden Eslick: Sixth 100 back, 7th 50 free, 200 individual medley.

Kaelan Connacher: Fifth 100 back.

Zack Johnston: Third 200 back, seventh 100 back, eighth 400 individual medley.

Boys 10 & Under 200 Medley Relay

Second place: Zach Washburn, Eric Kemper, Jackson Fair and Ian MacDougall.

200 Free Relay

First place: Zach Washburn, Eric Kemper, Jackson Fair and Ian MacDougall.

Girls 12 & Under 200 Free Relay

Fifth place: Cora Dana, Halle Johnston, Jessica Landberg and Jessica Williams.

Boys 12 & Under 200 Medley & 200 Free Relays

Fourth place: Jere Johnston, Luke MacDougall, Noah Heaps and Jojo Johnston.

Girls 13 & Under 400 Medley Relay

Eighth place: Megan Washburn, Addie Fair, Anna Fair and ShyAnne Speed.

400 Free Relay

Seventh place: Megan Washburn, Addie Fair, Anna Fair and ShyAnne Speed.

Boys 15 & Over 400 Medley Relay

Seventh place: Brenden Eslick, Kaelan Connacher, Ben Breakey and Zack Johnston.

400 Free Relay

Seventh place: Kaelan Connacher, Tristiane Randall, Ben Breakey and Zack Johnston.

The Manta Rays will be hosting an invitational meet this weekend March 8-10 at Moses Lake High School. It will be the last chance for swimmers to qualify for the Age Group Regionals.