Record numbers turn out for swim team

In spite of its non-funded sports status, its high pay-to-play fees, the loss of paid transportation and the stringent lettering requirements, a record number of athletes signed up for Outlaws swim team tryouts last week.

A total of 36 swimmers make up a very coachable junior varsity squad and a strong, determined varsity team, Coach Isolde Hedemark reported.

"Sisters High School swimmers will definitely challenge their competition at the district and state levels during this season," Hedemark said. Returning standouts Baldessari, Duvenick, Flanders, Luz, Sampson and Sellentin will be greatly supported in their team effort by Lasken, Miller, Berg, Curtis and Valdez.

On the girls side, senior Courteney Satko is expected to rally last year's state contenders Berg, Johnson and Young around her and encourage varsity newcomers Barrett, Stewart, Warden and Zandonatti to solidify the varsity team.

This record turn-out might have a bit to do with past successes of Sisters High School swimmers and the life-long benefit this sport brings to the athlete, Hedemark says.

But she believes it definitely has to do with the team's new training facility. After a three-year absence, SHS swimmers return to Black Butte Ranch to train. This time, however, they're not swimming in the 20-yard-long outdoor pool, covered by a plastic/canvas enclosure, as they did during the SHS swim team's first 10 years at Black Butte Ranch.

The Outlaws' new training site is a 25-yard state-of-the-art indoor facility, that offers the swim team three lanes, two hours each day Monday through Friday - at no cost to the team.

A facility use agreement, as well as a personal conduct agreement for each swimmer guide coaches and swimmers to a successful relationship with Black Butte Ranch management and homeowners.

"All athletes realize the generosity of the Black Butte Ranch community and strive to be worthy guests of the Glaze Meadow Recreation Facility," coach Hedemark said.