MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Mavericks swim team went to King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way to compete in the WIAA state tournament over the weekend. Five qualifying swimmers competed across five events where they found both individual and team success. 

“Overall, just really happy with the group of girls that we took,” said Mavs Head Coach Tony Preston. “Seniors had a good last meet, and our underclassmen were able to get some experience.” 

For the individual events, Mavs senior Bria Bodenman participated in two where she placed 22nd in the 200-freestyle with a final time of 2:04.87 and placed 14th in the 500 freestyle with a final time of 5:27.01. Dallie Cobb, another senior, tied for 16th in the 50 freestyle with a time of 25.68. 

Preston said Bodenman was happy with how she finished her two events and while Cobb did not qualify for day two of the tournament, she still finished her event with a lifetime best which was something to be proud of. 

The Mavs also qualified two teams for the relay events at state with Cobb, Taylor McKay, Paysyn Torrey and Bodenman participating in the 200-freestyle relay and Cobb, Ellen Center, Torrey and Bodenman participating in the 400-freestyle relay. The Mavs finished with 1:47.82 for 18th in the 200 freestyle and with 4:03.40 for 23rd in the 400-freestyle. 

While neither of those places allowed the Mavs teams to swim on day two, Preston said they still performed very well, especially in the 200 relay where the team saw a two-second improvement from their district time. 

For the state tournament, he said MLHS ended up taking three extra swimmers, Clara Larkin, Kimball Roylance and Ava Robinson along for the ride. While those individuals didn’t compete, it was still a good experience for them to have as they continue with their career with the program. 

“The amount of experience we get just by going to the events, seeing the facility and seeing the meet of that caliber... you just can’t put a price on it,” said Preston. 

Now that the season has concluded, he said, looking back, the Mavs did a great job coming together and forming their team chemistry from start to finish. Throughout the season, everybody who swam contributed to the team, and they all had a fun time competing. 

“We were out there racing all the time, girls cheering each other on,” said Preston. “I am just really proud of them as a group.” 

The senior captains were great in their roles this season and were key contributors in building the team chemistry by setting up team dinners and making sure everyone rallied around each other, he said.  

With the five seniors graduating, Preston said they are leaving behind a legacy of showing what it takes to be competitive while at the same time, being part of a team. Throughout the season, the seniors showed the younger girls that the program is more than just swimming. It’s about working together as a team and supporting each other, which are lessons that can be carried on for the rest of their lives. 

“I was really proud to watch how they played out and were able to finish their season,” he said.  

The Mavericks will miss having the senior leadership next season, but there is a very strong group of younger players returning that will continue competing at a high level, said Preston. With two freshmen qualifying to compete at state and more coming at the middle school level the program is looking towards a successful future. 

“I think (we’re) just continuing to grow,” he said. “This year’s team was bigger than last year’s team and just continuing to foster that positive environment and team camaraderie, and after that, you get up to race and that’s here your times come in.” 

    MLHS athletes Dallie Cobb and Bria Bodenman stand together on the side of the pool during the state tournament. The two seniors both had success in their individual events at state.
  

    The Mavericks’ Taylor McKay, Ava Robinson, Dallie Cobb, Bria Bodenman, Kimball Roylance and Paysyn Torrey stand with two Moses Lake Fire Fighters during the team’s state sendoff. Head Coach Tony Preston said the seniors on the team are leaving behind a legacy of both being competitive while also being team players.
  

    Kimball Roylance, Ava Robinson, Clara Larkin, Taylor McKay and Paysyn Torrey from the Mavs stand along the pool at the state championships with pom-poms in hand. Head Coach Tony Preston said the team camaraderie that was built throughout this season was one of their greatest strengths as they competed.