Tri-Cities swimmers come up big at WA state championships
Jesse Grow knew his boys swim teams could have a good season back in the fall.
So when the Hanford boys finished in a tie for fourth in the Class 4A boys standings at last weekend’s WIAA state swimming and diving championships in Federal Way, he wasn’t surprised.
“We had a fantastic season as a whole,” said Grow. “I’m a perpetual optimist. And after we finished fifth last year, and had a lot of kids coming back, I thought we could finish up higher.”
And that’s what happened.
To top it off, Grow was named the 4A Coach of the Year by the state’s other swim coaches — for the second consecutive year. And, of yeah, Grow also coaches the Richland boys swim team.
Leading the way for Hanford was senior Andy Gelston, who won two events.
Gelston was the second-fastest qualifier in the 500 freestyle race, clocking in at 4 minutes, 40.55 seconds. But in the final, he swam faster — at 4:36.79 — to win.
Gelston was the fastest qualifier in the 100 backstroke at 50.10 seconds, then went 49.97 seconds in the final to win.
That gave the Falcons a lot of team points, but there were more.
Hanford’s 200 freestyle relay team — consisting of senior Andrew Jones, junior Max Geldmacher, junior Maddox Pool, and junior Herky Wright — placed fourth in the finals.
The Falcons’ 200 Medley relay team finished fifth with this lineup: Gelston, Jones, sophomore Luke Nielson, and Geldmacher.
Richland also had some standouts, led by sophomore Cody Cowin.
He placed fifth in both the 50 free and 100 back finals.
“Cody was a highlight,” said Grow. “He’s one to watch these next few years.”
Senior Ethan Johnston added a six place in the 500 free.
Grow was still on a high on Wednesday, and said Gelston winning those two events was a highlight.
“One of the more emotional moments was Andy’s reaction,” said Grow. “He’s the first Hanford athlete to win both events at the meet.”
Grow said Gelston had had a rough season, missing four weeks of training due to mononucleosis, strep throat, and sinus problems.
“The kid is all heart,” said Grow. “It was all him. He was crying after he won.”
So was Grow.
“I lost it as a coach,” Grow said. “But what he did was the best gift.”
Boys swimming at Hanford and Richland has a bright future.
Grow said Hanford had 39 swimmers out, while Richland had 18. Those Hanford numbers are an all-time best.
“Altogether, I brought 36 swimmers a few weeks ago to districts (in Kelso),” said Grow. “And they all swam. I’m a very proud coach of both of these teams.”
State wrestling
3A-4A GIRLS
The Mid-Columbia 3A-4A girls won no state titles, but they did get four second-place finishes.
That included two Pasco High wrestlers — senior Natalia Tovar at 100 pounds, and sophomore Elisa Sanchez at 105.
Sunnyside senior Alexxus Ramos finished second at 110, ending her season with a 33-2 record. And Richland senior Erin Kremer also placed second, at 170 pounds, ending her year with a 34-6 record.
Moses Lake took the team title with 136 points, finishing ahead of Curtis (120) and Yelm (109).
Sunnyside scored 78 points to place fifth. Joining Ramos in high-podium placers for the Grizzlies were senior Adelina Valencia (third at 100, 34-9 record), and junior Delilah Chavez (sixth at 135, 34-9 record).
Richland placed sixth as a team with 76 points. Joining Kremer was Bombers teammate Kyndra Casias (fifth at 140).
Other high placers were Hanford senior Jessa Duggan (sixth at 115), Hermiston sophomore Tutaitaga Sepeni (sixth at 235), and Walla Walla freshman Kylie Whitaker (third at 120).
Pasco finished 13th in the team standings with 60 points, while Hermiston placed 27th with 47 points.
2A BOYS
The Mid-Columbia had one state champion in this classification: Othello senior Terrill Freeman at 195 points.
Freeman pinned Orting’s Hunter Sonnenberg in 3:44 for the title.
Freeman and his teammates did enough damage to finish third in the team standings at 126 points. But it wasn’t enough to overtake champion Orting and its 258.5 points. WF West of Chehalis was second at 132. Grandview placed 12th as a team with 53 points.
Other Othello wrestlers finishing well were Anthony Abundiz (fifth at 126), Isaac Campos (second at 113), Forrest Roylance (fourth at 138), Mason Russell (third at 120), and Josue Solorio (fifth at 195).
Grandview junior Evan Benitez finished second at 126 pounds, losing in the final and finishing the season at 35-1. Teammate Julian Sanchez was third at 138 (finishing 29-3), and Anthony Ramos was fourth at 220.
Prosser senior Neo Medrano placed second at 182, completing his prep career with a 45-7 record this season.
1A BOYS
Toppenish dominated the tournament with 375 points, finishing well ahead of runnerup Mount Baker and its 99 points. Omak finished third at 86.5.
Connell had two high-podium placers: senior Adrian Magana finished third at 182 pounds and ended up with a 21-6 record; senior Jordan Mendez finished fourth at 120 pounds.
Wahluke senior Anthony Zebrano placed third at 220 pounds.
1B/2B BOYS
Warden, which had two high-podium placers, finished 10th as a team with 64 points.
Junior Anthony Contreras finished second for the Cougars at 285 pounds; teammate Angel Cruz was third at 132 pounds.
Other high area placers were Columbia-Burbank senior Devin Boone (fourth at 126 pounds), Mabton senior Isaac Rodriguez (third at 120, a 23-4 record), and Lind-Ritzville junior Gabe Smith (third at 195).
Tonasket won the team title with 202.5 points, while Forks was second at 156.5, and Jenkins (Chewelah) finished third at 123.
1B-2B-1A-2A GIRLS
Once again, Toppenish dominated the field, taking the team title with 299 points. White River placed second at 110 points, while Royal finished third at 70.5. Warden scored 28.5 points to place 16th, while Othello finished 17th with 27.5 points.
Royal senior Alondra Morales won a second consecutive title, winning at 145 pounds. Morales, who finished the season with a 35-1 record, pinned Islah Alcala of Toppenish in 3 minutes, 22 seconds.
Morales’ teammate, junior Emma Villa, placed third at 170 pounds. She finished with a 30-2 record.
Other top Mid-Columbia placers were Prosser’s Leslie Gutierrez (fourth at 235 pounds), Warden’s Jada Hernandez (fourth at 115, 44-6 record), Warden’s Brianalee Martinez (fourth at 110, 27-6 record), Grandview’s Ihanna Perez (second at 190, 36-5 record), and Othello’s Elia Velazquez (fourth at 190).