Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Swimming notebook: No clear cut 4A favorite

By Rocky Morrow, Herald staff writer

Hanford beat out both Eastmont and Wenatchee last Saturday to earn its first CBBN league title in nine years. The Falcons now move on to the CBBN 3A district meet starting Friday at Central Washington University.

"I think it will be a lopsided match for the 3A," Hanford/ Richland coach Kathy Piper said. "We've already swam West Valley in a dual meet and it was pretty much lopsided then. We're kind of looking to get as many more qualified for state as we can, and looking forward to the state meet."

But Piper is eyeing the 4A district meet with caution.

"I believe the 4A race is wide open. There is no clear cut forerunner in the 4A," she said. "Walla Walla looks strong, Wenatchee looks to be pretty strong (and) Richland has an outside shot."

Southridge/Kennewick coach Jason Hart thinks Suns sophomore Megan O'Leary (100 back, 200 free) and freshman Katelyn McLaughlin (100 breast), along with Lions freshman Hailey Murphy (100 fly, 500 free), will be strong contenders for one of the three 4A state berths up for grabs in each event at the district meet.

-- Prosser coach Rhonda Baker couldn't be more pleased with the team she's taking to the 2A district meet this weekend in Ellensburg.

The Mustangs 200 medley relay team is ranked No. 1 in the CWAC, junior Mackenzie Gant is No. 1 in both the 100 fly (1:04.50) and 100 back (1:04.82), senior Hannah Rankin is No. 2 in both the 200 free (2:10.00) and 100 back (1:05.40), and freshman Hailey Rankin is No. 1 in the 200 IM (2:20.39) and the 100 breast (1:12.61).

The CWAC sends its top two finishers to state.

"We struggle in these meets," Baker said, "But our girls have really high goals."