The Methow Valley Killer Whales swim team saw its first competition in two years in recent meets at Omak and Okanogan.
Because of COVID restrictions, the Wagner Memorial Pool was closed all last summer, eliminating Killer Whales’ 2020 season. When the pool reopened a few weeks ago, the team began practicing in anticipation of competing this summer.
The team took 28 swimmers to Okanogan on July 16, where the combined Methow Valley boys’ and girls’ teams lost to the combined Okanogan Bullfrog teams by a score of 379-193. The Methow Valley girls edged Okanogan, 130-128,while the Bullfrog boys outswam the Killer Whales boys, 251-63. The combined Killer Whales teams took 22 first places, 20 second places and 15 third places. The Methow Valley team was scheduled to host the Omak Manta Rays on July 23, but the Wagner Pool was closed week because of pool air quality. So 40 Killer Whales instead traveled to Omak for the meet, despite not having been able to practice.
Although Omak had 49 swimmers in the pool, the Killer Whales kept it close. The combined teams’ score was Omak 290, Methow Valley 258. The Manta Ray boys outscored the Killer Whales boys 164-149, while Omak girls outscored the Methow Valley girls, 126-109. Killer Whales swimmers claimed 27 first-place finishes, 27 second-place finishes and 21 third-places.
The Killer Whales were scheduled to compete at Brewster this week but that meet is uncertain because the Wagner Pool has been closed for the summer due to the prevailing air quality conditions.
