Swimmers bring home medals

RICHLAND – Cheney swimmers brought home a few first-place finishes Oct. 16 from their first trip to the Class 3A Mid-Columbia Conference Championship Meet.  

Freshman Lauren Howe and junior May Peterson paced the Blackhawks (5-1) in the event at George Prout Pool.

Howe had a pair of first-place finishes in the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 25.92 and 100-meter freestyle with a time of 56.88

Peterson won gold in the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2:05.91 and in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 55.63.  

Senior Janie Richards earned second place in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:33.96.  

Cheney swimmers are competing in Class 3A this year, Coach Jennifer Hochwalt said, noting the team had a number of improved performances.

“These are the last meets for the girls to qualify for districts,” she said.

In moving up from Class 2A to Class 3A, there are no restrictions on the number of swimmers that can be entered per team per event.  So, everyone who makes the district time is eligible to compete in the meet.

Three competitions are left in the season – one Class 3A competition against South Ridge (Kennewick) and two Class 4A competitions against Pasco and Chiawana.

Eight swim team seniors are graduating this year, including previous state winner, Janie Richards.

According to Hochwalt, there are several fast swimmers on the team this year.

One of the team’s top performers, Peterson, is ranked as one of the Top 50 swimmers in the nation.

May has broken four school records, two of which were nearly 30 years old.

“May is normally a club swimmer,” the coach said. “This is her first year at the high school level.

Cheney’s Top 4 swimmers are senior Janie Richards, Peterson, Howe and freshman Joy Alise O’Dell, the coach said. All four qualified for the state 200-meter freestyle relay in Federal Way on Veteran’s Day weekend.

According to Hochwalt, the team will lose one of its best swimmers to graduation next spring, but the incoming freshman class is very large.

Hochwalt is hopeful about new recruits to replenish the Blackhawks’ ranks and is encourages girls to sign up to swim.

All skill levels are accepted, including students who have never swam before, she said.

Reporter Sarah O. Stephens can be reached at [email protected]