Waves of Triumph: Mavs Make a Splash at Districts, Setting Sights on State Glory

You know, there's just something about a district swim meet; the air, thick with chlorine and anticipation, the roar of the crowd, the splash of the dives — it's electric. And honestly, for the Moses Lake High School Mavs swim team, that energy translated into some truly spectacular performances at the recent District 8 championships. What a showing it was, really, with the boys’ team nabbing a strong third place and the girls’ squad finishing fourth overall. More importantly, perhaps, they qualified an impressive number of swimmers for the upcoming state meet, even more than their championship-winning year before. That, you could say, is quite the statement.

Coach Eric Sorensen, who has clearly put in the hours with this talented group, couldn't help but beam with pride. "It was a great season," he reflected, sounding every bit the proud mentor, "and I'm really proud of them." And why wouldn't he be? The pool at districts became, for many Mavs, a stage for personal bests and outright victories. The determination, the sheer grit, was palpable.

Take Ryder Heistand, for instance. He was, to put it mildly, a force. Not only did he clinch first place in the 200 IM, a truly demanding event, but he also absolutely dominated the 100 breaststroke, securing another top spot. Then there's Ben Lastoskie, whose speed was undeniable as he powered through to win the 100 freestyle. But it wasn't just about individual brilliance; oh no, the relays were where the Mavs truly showed their collective strength and synergy. Heistand and Lastoskie joined forces with Landon Helgeson and Lucas Hollenbeck to create a quartet that was simply unstoppable, grabbing first in both the 200 medley relay and, later, the 400 freestyle relay. You could almost feel the momentum building with each stroke.

On the girls' side, the Hollenbeck name continued its impressive run. Kylie Hollenbeck, with an incredible display of endurance and skill, earned a first-place finish in the 200 IM. Her teammate, Tessa Hollenbeck, matched that fire, conquering the 100 breaststroke. And let's not forget Averi Pearson, who showcased her versatility by earning a second-place medal in the 100 backstroke and a third-place finish in the fast-paced 50 freestyle. A stellar day for these young women, indeed.

The roster of state qualifiers, a testament to the team's depth, extends even further. Anna Belle Van de Graaf proved her mettle, securing her spot in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events — quite the distance swimmer, that one. Emma Hansen will be heading to state for the 100 butterfly, while Abby Lastoskie earned her ticket in the 100 backstroke. And then there's Brooklyn Smith, who powered her way to state qualification in the 100 breaststroke. It really speaks volumes about the program, doesn't it?

The Mavs had, in truth, an exceptional season last year, clinching district championships for both the boys and girls. But to qualify even more swimmers for state this year? That's not just maintaining momentum; it's building on it, pushing boundaries, and aiming higher. Now, with districts behind them, the focus shifts entirely to the biggest stage of all: the state competition. One can only imagine the dedication that will go into these final preparations. The Mavs are ready, and honestly, the swimming world should be watching.