MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake boys swim and dive team graduated eight seniors from last year's team that finished 6-2 in the Columbia Basin Big Nine conference.

But that doesn't mean the Chiefs will be short on talent as the Chiefs return 12 swimmers with district meet experience.

"We lost some good swimmers to graduation, but we should finish in the top four in the league and at district," coach Tony St. Onge, who is now in his 33rd year as coach of the swim and dive team, said. "One of our major goals is to get more athletes qualified on to state, so we are working harder than we have the past two or three years and expect better results."

Top returnees expected to lead the way for Moses Lake include Senior Evan McFarland, who was a championship finalist in the 50 meter freestyle and 100 meter breastroke, junior Reid Jackson, championship finalist in the 500 meter freestyle and Kaelan Connacher, championship finalist in the 100 meter backstroke and 200 meter individual medley.

"We also have a new swimmer ... Ben Breaky, who transferred from North Kitsap, who has fast enough times to have been a district finalist," St. Onge said. "And our top incoming freshman Brendan Eslick, already has times that are very close to state qualifying times, and should be one to watch."

The competition in league again this year is looking like a battle between the usual suspects as Richland is looking like the top team with Wenatchee a close second. Moses Lake should be right in the thick of things as the team, St. Onge said, as the Chiefs sit between Wenatchee and Walla Walla talent-wise.

"We swim against Richland and Wenatchee the first two duals of the season," St. Onge. Said. "So the pressure is on."