Manta Rays second at Sizzlin' Summer
The Manta Rays compete in a relay race during the Sizzlin' Summer Open.
MOSES LAKE — The Manta Ray Aquatics swim team took second place out of 22 teams at their home meet at the Surf ‘N’ Slide Water Park over the weekend.
Teams from Canada, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho competed in what has always been the Manta Rays’ signature and largest home event. The Manta Rays were represented by 27 swimmers and lead by two Individual High Point winners, Anthony Alvarez and Zachary Washburn.
Alvarez won his 200 freestyle and placed in the top eight in seven other events. Washburn swept the field and took first place in all 10 of his events.
Washburn broke the team record in the 100 butterfly and 50 meter breaststroke, besting Craig Myhre’s 30-year-old 50 breaststroke record of 37.19 with a 36.91. Azzy Alvarez, Aniston Dana, Todd Montgomery, Laurel Knox and Brittney Richeson all had break-out swims.
All five of them had huge time drops in several events over the weekend. Competing in their first long course meet were Matthew Cramer, Kathryn Duvall, Reagan Ewing, Rosa Johnson, Lydia Jensen, Luke Molitor, Reece Radach, Camryn Reyes, Dylan Moore and Cody Tate. Each of these swimmers had a great meet, and most qualified for the Long Course Championship meet in two weeks. Team captains Megan Washburn, Anna Fair and Noah Heaps scored several points and helped lead the team to their second place team award.
Jessica Williams, Cora Dana, Aidan Devine, Cole Lindberg, Julia Heaps, Jaydyn Johnson-Pugh and Nicholas Moore also contributed to the Manta Rays’ best team finish at this meet in many years. Most of these athletes, along with other teammates, are headed to Pasco in two weeks to compete at Long Course Championships.
The Manta Rays sent two swimmers to Pendleton Oregon last week to compete in the 1500 meter freestyle event. After waiting out a 45-minute lightning delay, Megan Washburn swam a best time, dropping 15 seconds. Her brother, Zachary Washburn, swam the event for the first time and not only won the event, but broke the Inland Empire Swimming record as well as the Manta Ray record.