Washburn, Johnston excel at IE Champs

WENATCHEE - Fresh off being the high point winners at the Moses Lake Sizzlin' Summer swim meet, Zachary Washburn and Zack Johnston continued to post fast times at the Inland Empire Long Course Summer Championships in Wenatchee this past weekend.

Washburn won all eight of his individual events in the boys 10 and under age group, setting Inland Empire records in four of them.

His record setting races included the 400-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 50-yard freestyle and the 50-yard fly.

Washburn also took first in the 100-yard fly, 50-yard breast, 100-yard back and 50-yard back.

Washburn will continue to compete at the Western Zone Swimming Championships after qualifying for nine events.

The Zone championship meet will compile the best swimmers from the western half of the United States.

Johnston won the men's 15-19 200-yard back and placed second in the 200-yard individual medley.

He also took fourth in the 100-yard back, fifth in the 200-yard freestyle and sixth in the 50-yard freestyle.

This week, Johnston will compete in the Senior Zone Championships in Fresno, Calif. after qualifying for nine individual events.

On the girl's side, Anna Fair took second in the 13-14 girls 100-yard fly, fifth in the 200-yard fly and eighth in the 100-yard back.

Her times in all three events set team records.

Newcomer Dylan Bond placed third in the boys 11-12 400-yard freestyle and eighth in the 200-yard freestyle.

Cora Dana, Jessica Williams and Halle Johnston also placed at the meet for the Manta Rays.

The Manta Rays will also be participating in the Swim Across America fundraiser for cancer research on Aug. 22 at Blue Heron Park. For more information, contact 509-760-6567 or 509-770-1380.