Mavs take 4th at state swim meet
The Moses Lake High School swim team took home a fourth-place trophy Saturday at the WIAA 4A State Swimming and Diving competition.
REBECCA PETTINGILL/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Members of Tony St. Onge’s family were present to accept the plaque for his induction into the Washington Interscholastic Aquatics Coaches Association Saturday. From left to right, Tyler St. Onge, Joanne St. Onge-Neal, Tenecia Chavez, Mila St. Onge, Jill St. Onge and Dena Pugh.
Members of the Moses Lake High School Swim team show shock and excitement when they found out they took fourth place as a team at the state competition, a goal they had since the beginning of the season.
Junior Issabelle Parrish had a 2nd place and 3rd place finish in her individual events at the WIAA 4A State Swim and Dive meet.
FEDERAL WAY - The second and final day of the WIAA 4A State swim competition wrapped up with Moses Lake High School taking home a fourth-place trophy as a team and several individual top-eight finishes.
“I feel like, especially with Tony (St. Onge) being inaugurated to the (Washington Interscholastic Aquatics Coaches Association) Hall of Fame today, (taking fourth place) was really important and a good reflection of what he had taught the team and how far he had brought us,” said senior Aniston Dana.
She explained that even though not everyone on the team had the chance to be coached by him, his influence was a major part of making the team what it was so that they could go on to grow and learn more.
During the inauguration to the WIACA Hall of Fame, a short statement was read about St. Onge. Part of the announcement read: “Tony’s career has inspired a legacy of dedication and selfless service to his students, athletes and the Moses Lake community.”
The announcement highlighted St. Onge’s long-standing involvement with the Moses Lake High School swim team from 1979 until his passing in 2021, 19 combined district championships, five-time Columbia Basin Big Nine Coach of the year, launching the Manta Ray Aquatics Swim Program and involvement in building the pool at Moses Lake High School that was named after him.
“He started our club team and he’s really the reason why we’re here today,” said sophomore Kathryn DuVall.
“We had a goal board at the beginning of the year and we met every goal,” said head coach Jason Hart.
Hart said he has enjoyed every moment he has spent with the team and is very proud of what they accomplished and overcame.
“We had challenges today and we got through it and they were so strong and resilient and that’s amazing,” Hart said. “In the year I’ve gotten to know them, they are so strong and they’re so resilient and high expectations of themselves, very high, and I love that.”
Family members of St. Onge were present to accept the plaque on his behalf.
Rebecca Pettingill may be reached at rpettingill@columbiabasinherald.com.
