Cheney swimmers win districts

By JOHN McCALLUM

Managing Editor

PULLMAN – Cheney High School’s girls swimming team showed that numbers and talent can go a long way – long enough to earn the Blackhawks a district championship in competition last weekend at Gibbs Pool at Washington State University.

Cheney easily out-pointed perennial power and district champion Pullman to win the title, beating the Greyhounds 373-323. The Blackhawks were helped by several multiple finishes in the top-five slots — including six district titles — along with at least three swimmers scoring in most of the 11 events.

Sophomore Janie Richards set the pace by winning two district titles in state-qualifying times — and in the process setting new team records in those events. Richards was first in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 59.79 seconds, breaking the team record she set last year as a freshman.

Richards also won the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:18.23, eclipsing a mark that had stood since 1990. Freshman Asia Gere was third in the 500 with senior Echo Mecklenburg finishing fourth in the 100 backstroke.

Sophomore Jade Gere swam to victory in the 100 breaststroke with a state-qualifying time of 1:10.83. Senior Izzy Williams touched the wall first in the 200 individual medley, posting a time of 2:24.22.

Asia and Jade Gere went 3-4 in the 200 freestyle with state-qualifying times of 2:02.26 and 2:02.59 respectively. Asia Gere also finished third in the 500 free with a state-qualifying mark of 5:33.74.

Mecklenburg and Williams were 3-4 in the 100 butterfly, with Carol Williams providing scoring by finishing eighth. Mecklenburg was also fourth in the 100 backstroke, while Adelyn O’Dell finished fourth in the 50 free and the 100 free.

Cheney’s 200 medley and 400 freestyle teams also won district titles in state-qualifying times. The 200 team of Richards, Jade Gere, Williams and Asia Gere was first in 1:58.73 while the same foursome teamed to win the 400 in 3:46.37 — also a new team record.

For her efforts, Richards was named the Athlete of the Meet.

“It was a fantastic district championship,” head coach Jennifer Hochwalt said. “We had multiple event winners and 19 or 20 of our swimmers attending the meet participated in finals and scored for the team.”

The results – along with those who qualified for state through times during the season – means Cheney is sending the largest number of individual event participants to state in the girls’ program’s history. Seven individuals, along with all three relay teams, will be competing for a chance at a rare podium appearance in Federal Way Nov. 15-16 at the King County Aquatic Center.

Blackhawks competing at the state 2A meet

Jade Gere 200 free, 100 breaststroke

Asia Gere 200 free, 500 free

Janie Richards 500 free, 100 backstroke

Izzy Williams 200 IM, 100 butterfly

Echo Mecklenburg 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke

Adelyn O’Dell 50 free, 100 free

Relay teams 200 medley, 200 free, 400 free

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreeepress.com.