Manta Ray Aquatics kick off long course season in Pasco

PASCO — Manta Ray Aquatics took 15 swimmers to Pasco for the first long course meet of the summer season.

For Oliver Burke, Taytum Courtright, Payton Leeder, Iver Miner, Marcus Quezada, Alli Hines and Kendall Vance, this was their first time ever competing in a long course meet. Annika Burke had several incredible swims over the course of the three-day meet, including a 16-second drop in her 200 individual medley, a 17-second cut in her 100 butterfly, and an outstanding drop of 25 seconds in her 200 freestyle.

Cole Lindberg had a fourth-place finish in his 100 butterfly and an eight-second drop in his 100 breaststroke. Dylan Moore cut almost seven seconds from his 100 butterfly, and his brother, Nicholas, matched that cut in his 100 backstroke.

Marcus Quezada, in his first long course meet, broke the Manta Ray team record in the boys eight-and-under 100 meter butterfly. Cody Tate had a six-second drop in his 100 backstroke. His sister, Kyla, had several impressive time drops, including a 10-second drop in her 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle, an 11-second cut in her 50 breaststroke, a 12-second drop in her 100 free, and incredible 17-second drop in her 50 backstroke.

Kendall Vance, in her first long course meet, placed ninth in the 100 breaststroke and 100 freestyle. Zachary Washburn placed first in all of his events, winning high point for his age group. Jessica Williams cut over six seconds from her 100 butterfly time and over three seconds in her 100 breaststroke.