Hanford/Richland coach Kathy Piper is looking at today's CBBN meet with Southridge and Kennewick at Serier Pool as an opportunity for some of her swimmers to ring up state times.
Piper said she wasn't sure which events she'll place Bombers freshmen Nicole Weinman and Mackenzie Ruby, but is confident that the pair "will get multiple state times over the season," and Falcons sophomore Melissa Merrill will aim for a state time in the 100 breast.
Meanwhile, Southridge/ Kennewick coach Jason Hart said that the Lions have a rising star in freshman Hailey Murphy -- and he thinks she has the potential to forge KeHS history.
"She's very promising and her goal is to go to state," Hart said of the freshman who swam to a first-place finish in the 100 fly (1:03.96) and a second-place finish in the 200 medley (2:25.45) to help lead her team to its first-ever defeat of Kamiakin last Thursday.
"They've had a diver, never had a swimmer (go to state)," Hart said. "Fingers crossed, she's pretty amazing."
Similar stories:
Top swimmers prep for Mukilteo Invite
Top swimmers prep for Mukilteo Invite
The King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way will provide an early taste of state-caliber swimming during Saturday's Mukilteo Invite.
The Mid-Columbia will have plenty of representatives in the Olympic-sized pool. Richland, Moses Lake, Walla Walla, Hanford, Kennewick, Kamiakin, Southridge, Sunnyside and Prosser are bringing swimmers to the Mukilteo Invite, held at the same facility as the WIAA state championships in November.
"We wanted to give our girls some good outside competition to prove their times and swim indoors," said Richland/Hanford coach Kathy Piper, who
estimated 25 teams would participate.
Richland's Bratton comes through state prelims
Richland's Bratton comes through state prelims
FEDERAL WAY -- Lisa Bratton turned on the jets in a big way Friday.
Now, the Richland sophomore sits in prime position for hardware today at the state swimming and diving championships in Federal Way.
Bratton entered the Class 4A 200-yard individual medley preliminaries as the No. 1 seed and didn't budge from the top spot. She slashed to an All-America consideration time of 2 minutes, 5.54 seconds, 35 hundredths of a second faster than her qualifying time.
Othello's Ruiz wins Tri-City Herald All-Area Swimmer of the Year
Othello's Ruiz wins Tri-City Herald All-Area Swimmer of the Year
Othello senior Natilee Ruiz, who this fall receives her third Tri-City Herald All-Area Swimmer of the Year honor, is a stellar example of the type of competitor this area can produce.
The six-time state champion, bound for San Diego State next year, not only has the times to back up her talent, but tremendous heart.
"When she did her (letter of intent) signing the other day, I said during my speech that she's an All-American athlete, she's a 4.0 valedictorian of her class, but she's an All-American human being," said Tony St. Onge, who has coached Ruiz as part of a co-op agreement with Moses Lake. "She's got great character. I'd call her a humble champion, which are the greatest champions. She's considerate of others. She's respectful. I'm confident that San Diego's thrilled to have her."
State-qualifying swim times heating up
State-qualifying swim times heating up
Looking at the times of Mid-Columbia swimmers less than a week into the season, one might think the girls state championships in Federal Way were just around the corner, not two months away.
At Saturday's Eastern Washington Jamboree in Prosser, Hailey Rankin of the host Mustangs swam the 100-yard butterfly in a state-qualifying time of 1 minute, 2.32 seconds.
That night, more state qualifiers rolled in at the Richland Twilight Jamboree. Hanford senior Melissa Merrill qualified on her own in the 50 freestyle, then helped the Falcons achieve state-qualifying times in the 400 free and 200 medley relays.
Richland swimmer Bratton making waves
Richland swimmer Bratton making waves
Though her family has a pool at its house, Lisa Bratton
doesn't hop in as much as she once did.
"I find I've been using it less and less because I'm in (another) pool training so much," she said. "I just want to be dry."
When Bratton does get in the water, however, she leaves the competition in her wake.
Print
Email Story
