Swimmers compete at Jay Rowan Invitational

Sisters swimmers competed at the Jay Rowan Invitational held in Redmond on Saturday, January 4. The event marked the 11th anniversary of the meet held in memory of Jay Rowan, who swam for Redmond and passed away in 2003. Rowan's sister spoke to the crowd just prior to the 21.4-second moment of silence - Rowan's 50-meter freestyle time.

Teams from Redmond, Ridgeview, Summit, Mountain View, Henley, Mazama, Madras, Rainer and Sisters attended the big event. The majority of the Outlaws swimmers went into all of their events seeded in the two fastest heats.

Mary Stewart, Emily Christen, Tara Greaney and Hannah Stuwe all competed in the 50 freestyle. Stewart remained undefeated in her high school career in the event, taking first place. Christen followed just a half-second behind for a second-place finish.

"Mary's confidence and comfort lay in the 50 free," said Coach Brittany Baldessari. "She loves this event and will compete at the state level."

The Girls A 200 freestyle relay (Stewart, Brooke Knirk, Madelyn Zadow, and Christen) swam to a first place finish with a personal best time. The Girls B Relay (Cheyenne Sproat, Greaney, Stuwe, and Maddi Boettner) placed seventh.

Trevor Barry, Gavin Jaquo and Jake McAllister all competed in the 50 freestyle and Barry finished third.

"Trevor is brand-new to swimming but is currently the second-fastest 50 freestyler on the team," said Baldessari.

Mary Stewart raced against Rachel Haney of Ridgeview and Sophie Gemelas of Madras in the 200 individual medley (IM). Gemelas was the 2013 state champion in the 200 IM and Haney was the runner-up. On Saturday, Haney took first, Gemelas placed second and Stewart was close on their tail for a third-place finish.

The girls A 200 medley relay (Zadow, Knirk, Stewart and Christen) took fourth and the boys A 200 medley relay (Brennan Miller, Ian Baldessari, Barry and Trevor Standen) took third.

Ian Baldessari, Miller, Jake McAllister and Alex Cyrus swam the 200 Freestyle. Baldessari took third and Miller took fifth.

Noah Huber branched out and tried the 100 butterfly.

"Noah has improved tremendously from the beginning of the season," said Baldessari. "His technique is great and the butterfly comes natural to him."

Christen placed second in the 100 freestyle and Knirk took fifth, both with personal best times.

The boys A 200 freestyle relay (Baldessari, Jonathan Luz, Barry and Miller) placed third and the B relay (Cyrus, Will Werts, Jaqua and McAllister) finished eighth.

Zadow took third in the 100 backstroke and according to Coach Baldessari finished with a personal best time that would have earned her a fourth-place finish at last years district championship.

Miller placed third in the 100 backstroke and Baldessari placed fourth.

The Outlaws will compete at the Kroc Center in Salem on Saturday, January 11.