By AL STOVER
Staff Reporter 

Makenzie Norman wins two state swimming titles

Cheney team breaks three school records

 

Last updated 11/19/2015 at 5:26pm



It’s one thing to capture a state championship in an event, it’s something else to win it two years in a row.

Cheney High’s swimmer Makenzie Norman accomplished that feat at the 2A-1A state championships, Nov. 13-14, the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash. She won her second state title in the 100-yard freestyle in 52.74 seconds. She also won her first 50 freestyle championship in 24.72. According to head coach Jennifer Hochwalt, Norman set new team records in both events.

Alexis Schmidt came away with her best performance at state with two fifth-place finishes in the 200 individual medley (2:15.24) and 100 butterfly (1:00.10).

“Makenzie and Alexis did absolutely fabulous,” Hochwalt said. “I’m proud of how they rose to the occasion. This is the best finals we’ve had. I’m really happy with that.”

In team events Norman, Schmidt, Meghan Krantz and Courtney Hanson took sixth in the 400 relay (3:55.94), setting a new team record in the process, and 10th in the 200 freestyle relay (1:46.85). Cheney finished in ninth place as a team.

Hochwalt was impressed with how Krantz and Hanson performed in their first appearance at state.

“I hadn’t expected them to go that fast,” Hochwalt said. “They were excited to be at state and had really good swims.”

The Cheney girls swim team should have a solid core group returning next year as they do not lose anyone to graduation. Hochwalt said she’d like to have a few new swimmers come out for the team next year.

While Hochwalt’s focus for the next four months will be coaching the boy’s swim team, she said the girls plan on meeting a few times during the offseason to work their skills for the 2016 season.

“The veteran swimmers are trying to get the newer kids excited for swimming next year,” Hochwalt said. “The goal is to maintain the skills, foundation and momentum going into next season.”

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.

 

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