Outlaw swimmers come off the blocks strong

The Outlaw Swim Team is off to a strong start this year under new Coach Brittany Baldessari.

With five meets down, and a sixth this Friday at Albany, the swimmers are paving the road for an excellent season.

"Although we welcome many veteran swimmers back to the team, focus can be put on a handful of up-and-coming freshmen," Baldessari said.

Freshman Karly Vial has proved her strength by repeatedly placing in the top four in the 500-yard freestyle, and Mary Stewart is chasing the Sisters High School record in the 50-yard freestyle. Newcomers Beth Miller and Madelyn Zadow have continued to drop time in the 100-yard backstroke. This past Saturday at the Jay Rowan Invitational in Redmond, Zadow impressed the crowds by dropping 14 seconds from her personal best and swimming to a third place in the 100-yard backstroke behind Outlaw varsity swimmer Codie Lagao.

Other swimmers to watch include sophomore Caleb Johnson, a new addition to the boys varsity relays along with Ian Baldessari and Brennan Miller. Both Miller and Baldessari will be strong contenders in the boys 50-yard freestyle at this year's district championships.