The Cheney High girls swim team traveled to Moses Lake, Saturday Sept. 12, to compete in the Twilight Jamboree, where two Blackhawks qualified for the 2A state championships in November.
Junior Makenzie Norman, who captured a state title last year, qualified for her third trip to state after she finished first in the 50-yard freestyle in 56.60 seconds. She and fellow junior Alexis Schmidt qualified for state in the 100 butterfly. Schmidt, who also earned her third state trip, finished second in 1:03.12 while Norman took third in 1:03.66.
Schmidt finished third in the 100 backstroke in 1:16.85, missing the state-qualifying time of 1:14.20 by less than 3 seconds.
Besides Norman and Schmidt, head coach Jennifer Hochwalt said the newer swimmers gained some experience from the jamboree.
“This week the team will focus on increasing their aerobic base to prepare for longer races like the 200 IM (individual medley) and 400 freestyle,” Hochwalt said.
Cheney competed against teams from Prosser, Grandview, Mabton and Clarkston at the jamboree. Team scores were not available at press time.
Cheney travels to Ellensburg for their first meet of the season, Sept. 19. While Ellensburg is a tough team with large numbers, Hochwalt said she will have some of the newer swimmers compete in different events.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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