Swimmers start season with tough meet

The Outlaws swimmers went up against last year's state champ, the Madras White Buffaloes, on Friday, December 6. It was a tough first meet for many first-time swimmers who had to match up against top swimmers in the state.

Mary Stewart placed first in the 100-meter butterfly and swam one second off the school record.

"Mary had a great race and won effortlessly," said Coach Brittany Baldessari. "We would really like to see her set the school record in this event and possibly compete at the state level."

Brooke Knirk, Maddie Boettner, and Emily Christen surprised Baldessari with great swims in the 200 intermediate medley.

"The 200 intermediate medley (IM) is rarely anyone's first choice of events," said Baldessari. "Most swimmers group the 200 IM up there with the 500 freestyle. Maddie and Brooke are both fairly new swimmers, so just the fact that they raced at all was great. This is not the primary event for any of these swimmers, and they all swam strong."

Keenan O'Hern (26.90) and Trevor Barry (25.75), both brand-new to swimming, surprised everyone with split times that were close to the Outlaws' fastest boys in the 200 freestyle relay.

Since the Outlaws don't have regular practice facilities, many swimmers, like Gavin Jaqua, Will Werts and Hannah Stuwe, saw starting blocks for the first time. Baldessari noted that all three did an awesome job in their event.

"I am extremely proud of our team morale and high level of sportsmanship," said Baldessari. "During the last event of the meet we had no participants, and when other teams/swimmers would have taken off to shower and head home, our entire group of swimmers was at the end of the pool cheering on the opposing team. It is that kind of action that brings joy to the heart of a coach and makes all the tough races worthwhile."

The following day, the Outlaws swam at the Raven Classic, held at the Cascade Aquatic Center, against Ridgeview, Redmond and Bend High. With one meet under their belts the team was much more relaxed, but the team was down to half their swimmers due to SATs, the flu, and injuries. Swimmers also swam their first race in a 25-meter pool rather than the normal 25-yard pool.

Will Werts took first in the 100 IM, Gavin Jaqua in the JV 50 freestyle and the JV 50 breaststroke.

"Gavin is just a freshman and I see him turning into a strong swimmer as he grows, develops, and has time to work on his technique,' said Baldessari.

Mary Stewart took first in the 100 butterfly. Although Stewart wasn't feeling well she pulled out a win over the second-place person by just half of a second.

Ian Baldessari took first in the 100 freestyle and Alex Cyrus took first in the JV 100 freestyle.

The boys 400 freestyle relay was at the end of the meet, and the squad was hoping Brennan Miller (anchor) would finish his SATs and join teammates Ian Baldessari, Keenan O'Hern and Trevor Barry for the race. Miller didn't make it back and so Jake McAllister, who has only been to one practice and has never swum a race in his life, volunteered to help the boys out. McAllister got on the block just in time to swim.

Baldessari said, "It was an impressive first-time performance. Jake has never started from a block, let alone had time to learn relay starts yet he dove in like a pro. Jake may possibly gain a permanent spot on the boys A relay as the season progresses."

The Outlaws will travel to Redmond on Thursday, December 12.