REGIONAL MEET NOTES - JANUARY 24, 2008

Hanford and Richland played host Tuesday to their one and only home dual of the season, and Hanford/Richland coach Kathy Piper said it was "fun to show off" for the parents and local fans, adding that Columbia Basin Racquet Club has been "very gracious" in allowing use of its facilities.

The Bombers pushed their record to 6-0 in CBL 4A duals by routing Eisenhower, and Hanford junior Miles Phillips rounded up wins in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle as the Falcons ended their league season with a victory over Selah.

Phillips will join eight of his teammates at districts Feb. 1-2 in Ellensburg: Joe Wertz, Lance Rhoten, Shawn Roller, Stephen Grindel, Jeff Grindel, Jim Dai, Kyle Cornwell and David Beatty.

Richland's last dual meet will be today at Moses Lake, and it's sure to be a nailbiter as Piper acknowledged that, because the Bombers don't have a strong diving corps, the Chiefs will get "13 free points" in what otherwise should be a competitive dual.

"It's going to be a close meet, but we have more depth than they do," Piper said.

On top of the pressure to stay undefeated, the Richland team is also facing the bane of all student-athletes: finals week.

"Their minds want to be in the pool," Piper said. "But they're really in the study."

BOYS SWIMMING NOTES - JANUARY 17, 2007

The Kentridge Invitational, held last weekend at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, proved to be a valuable road trip for the Richland and Hanford teams.

"The kids were rewarded," said Bombers/Falcons assistant coach Randy Willis. "The times were very good, and against very good competition."

Willis said that the 400-yard freestyle relay was Richland's "best ever" -- the Bombers finished with a state-qualifying time of 3:20.61 with freshman Nathaniel Weinman anchoring the race for senior Anthony Tappin, junior Cody Roberts and sophomore Eric Blanchard.

Roberts beat the invite's oldest record -- the 100 back had been at 53.01 for 14 years-- but was touched out by Zachary Ponchene of Ellensburg. Not to worry -- Roberts set a new invite record of his own in the 100 fly (50.49).

In all, the Bombers racked up seven state times, and the Falcons' Joe Wertz brought home two more in the 200 IM and 100 back.

"We have the kids qualified now," Willis said. "We can taper the workouts towards state."

BOYS SWIMMING NOTES - DECEMBER 15, 2007

Athlete of the Week for December 13, 2007

Joe Wertz, Junior

He won the 100-yard breaststroke and 200 individual medley -- both in state-qualifying times -- en route to winning the Walla Walla Pentathlon all-around title.


BOYS SWIMMING NOTES - DECEMBER 13, 2007

For the past four years, Kathy Piper has coached the Hanford and Richland teams, but she plays no favorites.

"It's one big happy family," Piper said. "There's lots of talent there."

While both the Bombers and the Falcons share the same weakness -- diving -- the core of each team is as deep and strong as you're likely to find in the CBL.

Richland returns all but one swimmer from last year and is led by High School All-America candidate Cody Roberts, who placed second in the 100-yard butterfly and third in the 100 backstroke at state last year.

Cody joins his fourth-at-state 200 medley relay teammates Anthony Tappin (sr.), Ted Blowe (sr.) and Eric Blanchard (soph.), and newcomers Tyler Pickett (fr.), Nathaniel Weinman (fr.), Jacob Hollander (fr.) and Ben Danna.

Meanwhile, Hanford has an All-American candidate of its own: junior Joe Wertz, who placed fourth at state in the 200 IM and fifth in the 100 back last season.

But that's just the beginning.

Wertz has had a strong start to this season. He recently broke the Falcons' records in the 100 breast (1:03.13) and 100 free (50.75) and landed state-qualifying times in the 100 back, 100 breast and the 200 IM.

The core of the Hanford team is rounded out by Lance Rhoten (sr.), Jeff Grindel (jr.) and Miles Phillips (jr.).

Piper said that the Falcons program, while modest, is "on a climb. We have 12 kids out, double what we've had in the past."

BOYS SWIMMING: 2007-08 OUTLOOK

Southridge looks to be improved with a core group of returning swimmers and divers. Senior diver Katrina Peterson is back after earning a wild-card to state, and the Suns should get some help from her younger sister Tristan along with Katie Smoot. Stephanie Hamilton leads the list of returning swimmers after qualifying for state last season in the backstroke. Junior Karin Cross (500, 200 free) is another returning place-winner from district as is senior Samantha Lyons (500, 100 free).

Kamiakin will be without the services of Erin Holmes, who placed at state in two events last season and has since moved on to the University of Maryland. But the Braves had a solid core returning for a young team that graduated eight seniors. Senior Richelle Harvey (fly) and her sophomore sister Pamela (breast) are returning district placers, while junior Kayla Sanders, who finished ninth at district in the backstroke. Kaitlin Kessie (sprints), senior Meaghan Guagliardo (distance) and Kelsie Duncan (diving) and Julie Kimball (diving) should all make key contributions to the Braves.

Kennewick, which finished last at the district meet, is led by seniors Catherine Schweppe (100 fly) and Traci Bentrup (500 free, 200 free), both who placed in the consolation finals at districts last season.

Hanford has increased numbers from its third-place district team, but has been hit by some early adversity as two of its top swimmers had their appeals denied by the District 5 eligibility committee, barring them from swimming at varsity meets. Sophomore Megan Maynes does return for the Falcons after placing in the 200 at districts.