Manta Rays solid at Christmas Open Swim Meet

WENATCHEE — Manta Ray Aquatics recently returned from the Christmas Open Swim Meet in Wenatchee.

The 8-and-under boys, Calvin Becker, and brothers Conner and Brandon Duvall, started the meet off by achieving best times in the 25 yard freestyle. Conner Duvall also had a first-place finish in the 100 individual medley.

Stella Butterly posted a three-second drop in her 50 freestyle. Soon after, Alina Dymarkowski dropped an incredible 30 seconds in her 100 freestyle. Sophie Butterly, Aniston Dana, and Brittney Richeson all swam personal bests in the 100 freestyle. Aniston Dana also cut three seconds in her 50 butterfly.

Cole Lindberg dropped 10 seconds in his 200 individual medley and took second place in the 200 butterfly. Zachary Washburn had three first-place finishes.

Unattached swimmer Eric Kemper excels in the Christmas Open

Submitted by Randy Kemper

WENATCHEE — This past weekend Eric Kemper, unattached USA swimmer, traveled to Wenatchee to compete in the Christmas Open Swim Meet.

Kemper swam eight events; placed in the top three in all the events he swam; and three of those events he swam for best times.

He took first place in four of his events, second place in three of the events and one third-place finish.

Kemper took first place in the 200 backstroke and dropped almost a full second for a best time of 2:10.68. Kemper also took first place in the 200 freestyle, the 200 butterfly and the 100 butterfly.

In the 100 freestyle, Kemper took second place for a best time of 53.44 seconds; he also took second in the 200 indivual medley for a best time of 2:08.51.

Kemper also came in second place in the 100 backstroke. In the 200 breaststroke, Kemper finished third.

Kemper will spend the next month training for the WA Open meet that is held in Federal Way in the middle of January, while continuing to swim and train for the Moses Lake High School swim team.