Nelson, Schmidt and relay team qualify for state
Cheney sophomore Alexis Schmidt swims during the 200-yard medley relay. Schmidt, Makenzie Norman, Tenley Nelson and Brittany Meyer finished the event in 2 minutes and 2.71 seconds to qualify for state.
The Cheney high girls swimming team had a successful home opener, Sept. 20, by defeating Ellensburg 87-82.
The Blackhawks kicked off the meet with a bang as the team of Makenzie Norman, Alexis Schmidt, Tenley Nelson and Brittany Meyer took first in the 200-yard medley relay. They finished in 2 minutes and 2.71 seconds, qualifying them for state.
Cheney also did well in the other relay events. The team of Meyer, Kaylie Geschke, Melissa Johnson and Izzy Corlett came in second in the 200 freestyle relay in 2:06.78.
Norman, Schmidt, Nelson and Geschke placed first in the 400 freestyle relay in 4:02.64. In the same event, Johnson, Corlett, Sam Abbott and Marissa Hunley took third in 5:09.69.
In addition to team races, several Blackhawk swimmers shined in individual events.
Norman qualified for state in both the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle where she finished in 25.80 and 56.21, respectively. She qualified for state in the 100 backstroke at the Sept. 20 Ephrata jamboree.
Fellow sophomore Schmidt qualified for state in both the 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley where she finished in 1:03.4 and 2:23.24, respectively.
Nelson took third in the 200 individual medley in 2.35.2 and first in the 100 breaststroke in 1:21.38 and. Freshman Evarosa Perry placed second in the 100 breaststroke in 1:29.26.
Geschke placed second in the 200 freestyle in 2:20.53 while Johnson came in third in 2:29.37. Johnson also came in second in the 500 freestyle in 6:28.42 and Abbott finished third in 7:21. Meghan Krantz placed third in the 100 backstroke in 1:23.64.
Head coach Jennifer Hochwalt said the girls swam "amazingly well" for this early in the season.
"The more experienced swimmers got back into shape quickly and the new swimmers are building aerobic capacity," Hochwalt said. "They're way ahead of schedule."
For their next meet, Cheney travels to Clarkston, Sept. 25. Hochwalt said she and the team are looking forward to facing the Bantams.
"We're hoping we can make the state cut for the 400 relay," Hochwalt said. "We also might have some of the swimmers try some secondary events."
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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