Centralia-Rochester Qualifies Four Swimmers For Districts in Season Opener

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After a month-long wait to start their season — due to quarantine protocols and one meet being postponed — the combined Centralia-Rochester girls swim team started off their season red-hot.

Hosting Black Hills at the Centralia Community Pool at Thorbeckes, the under-manned local squad was edged, 73-61, but four swimmers earned district-qualifying times in an impressive early-season showing. The Wolves had divers, which helped push them to victory.

“We did pretty well with only six swimmers Black Hills had twice as many — and we were leading until the last two events,” Centralia-Rochester coach Paul Masiello said. “Being our first meet, that’s a great thing.”

Centralia’s Chihiro Bringman lit up the pool in the 50-meter freestyle and 100 freestyle, clocking times of 29.61 and 105.40, respectively, which were both nearly state-qualifying times.



“She said she was nervous and I don’t blame her,” Masiello said.

Rochester’s Caysee Smith earned district qualifiers in both the 200 freestyle (2:39.58) and the 100 breaststroke (1:40.07). Warrior teammates Kiran McElfresh and Grace Morgan also collected district qualifiers. McElfresh earned hers in the 200 intermediate (3:14.56) and Morgan received hers in the 100 fly (1:30.92) and 100 backstroke (1:30.17).

Centralia and Rochester get back into action when they travel to Aberdeen for a 3:30 p.m. swim meet on Monday.