Manta Rays succeed at IE Short Course Championships

MOSCOW, ID. — The Moses Lake Manta Rays recently competed at the Inland Empire Short Course Championships in Moscow, ID. and plenty swimmers reached the podium.

Zachary Washburn won the boys 10 and under high point award after taking first place in seven individual races (the 50- and 200-yard freestyle, the 50- and 100-yard fly, the 50-yard back stroke and the 100- and 200-yard individual medley).

Zack Johnston placed second in the boys 15 and over 400-yard individual medley and third in the 200-yard individual medley. He also took fifth place in the 50-yard freestyle

Anna Fair took seventh place in the girls 13 and 14 200-yard fly and Josiah Johnston placed sixth in the boys 11 and 12 100-yard fly.

The relay team of Washburn, Josiah Johnston, Jordan Pack and Dylan Bond placed second in the boys 12 and under 200-yard freestyle relay and fifth in the 200-yard medley relay.

Washburn qualified for the Northwest Region Sectional Meet scheduled for late March in Federal Way. Zack Johnston qualified for the Sr. Sectional Meet next week that will also take place in Federal Way.

Unattached swimmers excel

Moses Lake unattached swimmers Eric Kemper, Ian MacDougall and Luke MacDougall secured 15 medals at the short course championships.

Luke MacDougall received a medal in every event he swam. He also shaved 17.8 seconds on his 1650-yard freestyle, which garnered him third place and a best time of 18 minutes, 4.68 seconds.

Ian MacDougall swam a best time in the 50-yard freestyle, breaking the 30-second barrier with a best time of 29.6 seconds. He also placed fourth in the 100-yard fly, as well as sixth in the 50-yard back stroke and 50-yard fly.

Kemp recorded a time of 38.19 seconds in the 50-yard breast stroke and placed fifth in the 50-yard back stroke. He also took eighth in the 200-yard freestyle and second in the 1650-yard freestyle.