Outlaws team finishes strong at district meet

In a last powerful attempt to swim well enough to make it into State Swimming Championships as wildcard entries, Tyler Berg (57.83), Justin Duvenick (57.82), Tyler Baldessari (54.66) and Holden Sellentin (53.64) earned bronze medals for the third-best 400-yard freestyle race (3:43.95), shattering the old Sisters High School record by almost four seconds.

Sweet Home dominated not only this event (3:29.46), but also easily won District Championships again.

The Outlaws finished fifth in the other two relays, and in the process raised their chances to get into State Championships, also in these events.

Tyler Baldessari led off the 200-yard medley relay with a backstroke PR of 28.67, followed by Nick Luz in the breaststroke (33.08), Justin Duvenick in the butterfly (28.24) and Holden Sellentin in the freestyle (23.46). Their combined time of 1:53.45 was only 0.43 seconds slower than fourth-place finisher Junction City and faster than the eighth fastest time at State last year.

Justin Duvenick (25.61) was first off the blocks in the 200-yard freestyle relay with Jake Miller (PR 25.04) second, Tyler Baldessari (25.12) and anchor Holden Sellentin (24.29). Their combined time of 1:40.06 might earn the Outlaws a wild card to state championships as well.

Top championship finals finishers individually were Holden Sellentin, fourth in the 50-yard freestyle (23.93), Tyler Berg, fourth in the 500-yard freestyle (5:54.32), Tyler Baldessari, fourth in the 100-yard backstroke (1:02.37) and Billy Sampson in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:15.66).

All three Outlaws relays either won or were second in consolation finals.

The "B" medley relay with Tyler Berg (backstroke 32.05), Jonathan Standen (breaststroke 34.51), Billy Sampson (butterfly PR 29.17) and anchor Jake Miller (freestyle PR 25.59) were first with a time of 2:01.32.

The 200-yard freestyle "B" relay with Billy Sampson (PR 26.98), Cameron Valdez (PR 26.11), Bryant Lasken (PR 27.33) and Seth Flanders (PR 25.42) finished second in consolation finals behind Cascade "A".

Miller, Sampson, Valdez and Flanders teamed up for the 400-yard freestyle "B" team. Jake Miller (55.61) swam the fastest leg as anchor and out-touched the Sweet Home "B" team by 0.26 seconds to win consolation finals.

Tyler Baldessari, Nick Luz, Justin Duvenick, Billy Sampson, Holden Sellentin, Tyler Berg and Jake Miller are slated to compete in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays; Holden Sellentin also qualified for the 50-yard freestyle and Tyler Baldessari for the 100-yard backstroke. Some of the boys will be designated alternates.