Stewart shines in pool at classic

Outlaws swimmer Mary Stewart stole the show Saturday at the White Buffalo Classic in Madras.

Stewart started the day by setting a new meet record in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 26.25. Then, later in finals, she reset the record with a time of 26.00 and placed first in the event. Stewart also took second place in the 100-yard freestyle.

Six swimmers in addition to Stewart advanced to the finals in the evening including Ian Baldessari, Brennan Miller, Tyler Berg, Codie Lagao, Karly Vial and Emily Christen. Christen competed in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, placing right behind Stewart in both events.

Junior Ian Baldessari placed sixth in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:12.37, only a second away from setting the Sisters High School record. Junior Brennan Miller swam a season best in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:02.83. Senior Tyler Berg finaled in the 200-yard freestyle, finishing with a time of 2:06.65 and was an alternate in the 100-yard butterfly. Berg will swim both events at the district championships this February.

Spectators also had their eyes on Karly Vial as she made finals in both the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard breaststroke. Vial swam a personal best in the 100-yard butterfly, stopping the clock at 1:08.89. Codie Lagao raced to a time of 1:12.52 in the 100-yard backstroke, a season best for Lagao. Lagao was also an alternate in the 100-yard butterfly.

The Outlaws are anxious as they approach their last regular season meet in Sweet Home this Thursday. The district championships will be held in Albany on February 8-9. Both girls' and boys' relays, along with a handful of individual swimmers are expected to make an appearance at the OSAA State Swimming Championships the following week at Mt. Hood Community College.