Swimmers ready to dive into season

The Sisters High School swim team has done away with the traditional titles of varsity and junior varsity teams in an attempt to eliminate entitlement and to restructure the culture of the team.

Coach Brittany Baldessari told The Nugget that all 24 swimmers will be on the same team and the only distinction will be old swimmers and new swimmers.

Baldessari stated that deciding where everyone will participate will be difficult.

"Generally, new swimmers compete in freestyle events, however, we can only enter four swimmers in each event," said Baldessari. "With a state champion freestyler who takes one of those slots and over 10 brand-new swimmers it will be very difficult."

Eleven swimmers return to the team with experience under their belts: Ian Baldessari, Maddi Boettner, Emily Christen, Alexander Cyrus, Tara Greaney, Codie Lagao, Brennan Miller, Cheyenne Sproat, Trevor Standen, Mary Stewart and Madelyn Zadow.

Baldessari, Lagao, Miller and Stewart are all expected to be state contenders. Ian (senior and captain) set the SHS 100-meter breaststroke record and will continue to make that his main event. Ian also competes on the boy's A relays. Codie is also a captain and specializes in the 100 backstroke and the 100 butterfly.

Brennan (senior) specializes in the 100 backstroke and competes on the boys' A relay. Coach Baldessari told The Nugget that Brennan has physically developed and implemented a weight program over the past year. She expects a stellar season from Miller and looks to see lots of time dropped.

Stewart (sophomore) was the 50-meter freestyle state champion last year and also broke three school records. She will continue to swim the 50 freestyle and will attempt to break the school record in both the 100-meter butterfly and the 100 backstroke. Baldessari said Mary will definitely place at state.

Christen and Cyrus (juniors and captains) will both swim the 50 freestyle. Christen was on both record-breaking relays last season. Sophomore Greaney will also specialize in the 50 freestyle and in addition will try a couple of new events.

Standen (senior) will swim the 100-meter breaststroke and the 50 freestyle. Juniors Boettner and Sproat will both be trying new events.

Zadow (sophomore) rounds out the older swimmers. Madelyn is a past 100 backstroke district placer and Baldessari expects much improvement from her this year. Zadow will most likely compete on the girls A relay.

Thirteen brand-new swimmers join the squad this year, many of whom Coach Baldessari said have very little experience. Swimmers include: Trevor Barry (senior), who Baldessari noted has no experience but is very strong and will swim on the boy's A relay, seniors Jake McAllister and Keenan O'Hern, juniors Angela Todd and Hannah Stuwe, sophomore Tessa O'Hern, and freshman Noah Huber, Gavin Jaqua, Brooke Knirk, Rylee Rockwood, Annika Stadeli, Will Werts and Lily Greenstrone.

Last year was a rebuilding year for the Outlaws and the swimmers experienced a significant shift in coaching styles and workouts. This year Baldessari's goal is to continue to build.

"Where we lack in swimming experience, we gain in physical strength," said Baldessari. "Both our girls and boys have a strong chance at a district title this year. There hasn't been a strong boys team in quite some time, but this year we have built our numbers back up and have a really large chance at some record-breaking relays. This team has become like family, and I very much want to continue to build on that culture."

The Outlaws' first swim meet will be at Madras on Wednesday, December 5.