FEDERAL WAY -- Hanford capped an amazing season with 140 team points and a fifth-place finish in 3A state swimming finals Saturday at King County Aquatics Center.
"Best finish ever by Hanford," said Hanford/Richland coach Kathy Piper.
The Falcons' second-place finish in the 200 free relay (1:39.07) provided the biggest highlight. It was the 13th fastest time in 3A state history and will be considered for All-American inclusion.
The 200 free relay lineup of junior Christine Tixier, freshman Stephanie Tixier and sophomores Melissa Merrill and Taylor Burnight also placed fourth in the 200 medley relay (1:53.78).
Event winner Juanita's 1:37.77 time erased the previous state record of 1:37.95 set in 1999 by Bellevue.
Falcons junior Kristen Bennett placed fifth in the 200 IM (2:11.56) and was second in the 500 free (5:05.53). Christine Tixier finished fifth in the 100 fly (59.60) and and sixth in the 100 breast (1:09.67) events.
Prosser junior Mackenzie Gant and freshman Hailey Rankin set new school records as the Mustangs placed eighth overall at the 2A championships.
The 200 medley relay team of senior Hanna Rankin, Hailey Rankin, Gant and senior McKenna Musselwhite placed fourth with a time of 2:00.64.
"I'm proud of what the girls did," Mustangs coach Rhonda Baker said. "With only four girls swimming, it was pretty good. They did a great job."
In 4A finals, Richland's Nicole Weinman placed 13th in the 500 free with a 5:16.40 finish -- "A new best-time for her," Piper said -- and Mackenzie Ruby placed 15th in the 100 back (1:02.07).
And Southridge earned points in diving thanks to seniors Katie Smoot (8th, 322.70) and Mikaela Niles (13th, 305.55).
