2 Manta Rays compete for all-star team; Washburn ups national rank in 50 freestyle

CLOVIS, Calif. — Manta Ray Aquatics teammates Noah Heaps, 17, and Zachary Washburn, 14, joined 40 other elite swimmers from around the Inland Empire to compete at the Senior Zone Championship swim meet in Clovis, Calif. as part of the IES All-Star Team.

This high-level meet brings 1600 swimmers from over 13 western states to compete against one another for five days. Overcoming the heat and smoky air quality, both Heaps and Washburn swam a perfect meet, dropping time in every event they swam.

Both swimmers started the meet out well on the first day with Heaps cutting over 2.5 seconds on his 100 freestyle and Washburn dropping 1.5 seconds. Washburn qualified for finals, and placed 10th overall.

The following day, Heaps swam the 200 individual medley, dropping another two seconds in that event.

On the third day, Washburn showed continued success in his freestyle events, cutting over a second in his 50 free and three seconds in his 200 free. His 50 free time was the second-fastest time at the meet. This time also moved Washburn into second place nationally in the 50 free for the boys 13-14 age group. He qualified for finals in both events and finished 13th in the 200 free.

Washburn earned three new Inland Empire Swimming records in his freestyle events. Heaps also dropped over a second in his 50 free.

In the 100 backstroke, Heaps and Washburn both made finals, with Heaps dropping nearly four seconds and moving from 118th place to finish 30th, and Washburn cutting over three seconds to finish in 34th.