The Dalles competes at swim meet in Madras

Coach Shea Macnab said, “It was more like a training meet to help them get back into the groove of things. I think when we go to Molalla [Jan. 20], they’re going to be like a brand new team. We have four weeks of really difficult work to do in order to get everyone ready for districts.”

The Molalla Invitational is a key event because it’s the same pool where The Dalles will compete at the district meet (Feb. 9-10).

At Madras, the four-member Riverhawks girls squad was led by freshman Kaiya Doty, who took third place in both the 100 breaststroke (1:23.41) and the 200 individual medley (2:45.19). Doty also competes on The Dalles’ ski team this winter.

“Kaiya swam well, and she swam right near the best times where she should be at. And by the end of the season, she will be swimming personal best times along with all the other kids,” said Macnab, who has never had a two-sport athlete during his six-year career as The Dalles swim coach. “With snow in the forecast, Kaiya is now going to have to be juggling her schedule a little bit to try and make the choice of going to swim practice or skiing. She’s a good kid; she’s a real competitor and even if she’s not in the pool and she happens to be up on the slopes of Mount Hood, at least she’s doing something active and enjoying what she does.”

The Dalles freshman Lillen Vaught was sixth in the 50 free (30.63) and eighth in the 100 backstroke (1:26.19). The Riverhawks girls took sixth place with 67 points in the seven-team event.

The Dalles boys were fifth with 181 points. Lenardson competed took third place in the 200 free (2:12.57), pacing teammates Carter Randall (sixth, 2:16.85) and Sawyer Dray (eighth, 2:22.25). Lenardson combined with teammates Maverick Varland, Carter Randall and Dray to get third in the 200-medley relay (2:04.86).

“On the plus side we had some younger swimmers who did very well, including Sawyer, who had a pretty good meet with some good times,” said Macnab.

Freshman Rhett Loughmiller was fifth in the 200 IM (2:38.74), and in the 100 free (59.25). Loughmiller, Randall, Varland and Dray combined to swim to third place in the 200 free relay.