MOSCOW, Idaho - The Manta Ray Aquatics Swim Team placed fifth at the Inland Empire Jr. Champs  held Feb. 10-12 in Moscow Idaho.

Despite being one of the smallest teams in the league, the swimmers pushed past some of the bigger teams and were in the running for a top three placing for much of the meet.

Thirty swimmers aged 6-14 going against teams from Spokane, the Tri- Cities, Wenatchee, Coeur d' Alene, Yakima, Walla Walla as well as teams from Oregon participated.

More than 300 swimmers from the Inland Empire Association took part in the event.

The Manta Rays were led by 8 year old stand-out Zachary Washburn who placed first in the 100 freestyle, 50 butterfly, 25 breast stroke , 50 free and 25 fly, and was second in the 25 free and 50 breast.

On the girls side 12 year old Anna Fair won the 100 individual medley. She placed second in the 200 individual medley, third  in the 50 breast and 200 free, fourth in the 100 breast and 500 free, and fifth in the 100 free.

Jessica Landburg placed second in the 8 and under girls 25 fly, and third in the 25 free and 25 backstroke. Other top eight medalists were

Emily Johnston, who took  eighth in the 8 and under 25 breast. Jayden Johnson-Pugh, third in the 9-10 girls 50 and 100 freestyle.

Nine-year-old Jackson Fair placed second in the 50 back, third in the 50 breast, fifth in the 50 free and 50 fly, sixth in the 200 free,  and seventh in the 100 free.

Ten-year-old Josiah Johnston placed second in the 50 breast and seventh in the 200 free. Nine-year-old Eric Kemper placed first in the 200 individual medley, fourth in the 50 back, fifth in the 100 breast and 100 back.

Eleven-year-old Halle Johnston placed fifth in the 50 fly, sixth in the 50 breast, seventh in the 100 breast, eighth in the 500 free, 200 individual medley and 100 fly.  

Eleven-year-old Cora Dana place second in the 200 free and eighth in the 100 individual medley. Twelve- year-old Jon Ovregard place second in the 50 free, third in the 100 free and sixth in the 500  and 200 free.

Eleven-year-old Jere Johnston placed fourth in the 500 free and sixth in the 200 individual medley. Thirteen-year-old Addison Fair place third in the 50 free, fourth in the 200 individual medley, sixth in the 100 fly and seventh in the 200 breast.

Fourteen-year-old Megan Washburn place sixth in the 200 breast and seventh in the 100 breast and 100 fly. And 13-year-old Janice Pryor placed fifth in the 500 free and 50 free, as well as eighth in the 200 free. 

In addition to the individual champions the Manta Rays placed several relays in the top eight. The 8 and under girls consisting of 6-year-olds Kianna Johnston and Aniston Dana along with 8-year-olds Emily Johnston and Jessica Landburg placed third in the 100 free relay.

The boys 10 and under medley relay consiting of Eric Kemper, Zach Washburn, Jackson Fair and Josiah Johnston place first and the B relay consiting of Jesse Johnston, Alex McLain, Ian McDougal and Jordan Pack placed fourth.

The boys 10 and under 200 free relay with Josiah Johnston, Alex McLain, Jordan Pack and Jackson Fair placed second.

The girls 12 and under 200 medley with Cora Dana, Anna Fair, Halle Johnston and Sol Ramos placed third.

The girls 14 and under 400 medley relay consiting of Janice Pryor, Addison Fair, Megan Washburn and Ana Kemper placed fourth, and the 400 free relay with Addison Fair, Anna Fair, Ana Kemper and Janice Pryor placed third.

All of the swimmers from Moses Lake had their best times of the season. Zach Washburn, Eric Kemper, Jackson Fair, Josiah Johnston, Anna Fair, Cora Dana, Jon Ovregard, Addison Fair and Megan Washburn all qualified for the Inland Empire "A" championships to be held in Walla Walla February 24-26.

They will join Joelle Garrett, Kelly Garrett, Amber Garrett, Abby Johnston, Zack Johnston, Kaelan Connacher, Brenden Eslick, Jordan Richeson, Tristaine Randall, Reid Jackson and Courtney Schwiesow who had already qualified for the A champs.

Twenty-one swimmers will be representing Moses Lake in the annual swim championships.  

The Manta Rays offer a two week free tryout and are always looking for new swimmers. If interested in swimming with some of the best, please call 760-6567 or come to the high school pool Monday through Friday from 5-6:30 p.m.