Moses Lake girls swim looks to increase state qualifiers

MOSES LAKE - A year removed from sending one diver to state, Moses Lake girls swim is ready to have a larger representation at the last meet of the year.

The Chiefs finished 8-2 last year. Unfortunately, those two losses came against Wenatchee - who posted an undefeated in the Columbia Basin Big 9 and finished as one of the best team's in the state.

Head coach Tony St. Onge said his team as improved, but Moses Lake is still chasing the Panthers.

"Wenatchee will be another premier team in the state this year," he said. "It'll be a tough one."

The Chiefs finished fourth overall at districts, once again tasked with competing against Richland - another top team in Washington.

Moses Lake was able to send one diver to state - Heather Carbon - who made it to finals and placed 15th. St. Onge said Carbon has improved from last year and spent time going to a diving camp in Texas.

However, with the new high school swimming pool still under construction, Carbon has had to get a little creative with her practice time.

"We don't have our pool to use yet so she's using kind of a plank for a diving board early in the season," St. Onge said. "Once the new high school pool gets done she'll have a regulation competitive board to use - that's going to help a lot."

One of Moses Lake's goals this year is to send more swimmers to the state meet.

Freshman Anna Fair could be one to reach that elite level.

"She's close to state qualifying times - not quite their yet," St. Onge said.

Other premier swimmers include junior Megan Washburn and ShyAnne Speed.

St. Onge has also liked the leadership provided by his captains - Jalen Garza, Bailey Hammond and Jordan Richeson.

"They're doing a good job leading right now," he said. "One of our goals this year was just be all around improved from the work ethic, to the culture, to positive environment.

"We've always been that type of a team, but we wanted to kind of up the level a little bit, kind of raise the bar a little bit this year."

Currently, the team has to travel to Ephrata for practice due to the unfinished high school pool.

The projected completion date for the building is Sept. 19, pushed back from Aug. 15.

Moses Lake's first home swim meet is scheduled for Sept. 23 against Wenatchee. Moses Lake will also host the district swim meet at the end of October.

Other returning district qualifiers: Addison Fair, Catorina Linville, DeDe Moreno, Karla Partida, Janice Pryor, Hailey Tolliver and Kirsten Hutshell.