Outlaws swimmers getting faster

The Sisters Outlaws swim team members continued their assault on personal and season records at a dual meet versus Madras on January 12 at the Madras Aquatic Center.

Official meet results were not published in a timely manner, but Head Coach Bryn Singleton reported notable highlights from the meet and shared what the team's focus has been as the squad moves beyond mid-season.

"We have been working on more technical aspects of everyone's strokes this past week, and everyone really did a great job putting those things into action in their races this weekend," she said.

"For example, Austen Heuberger dropped over a second off his previous best 50-yard freestyle time (28.46) and over 2 seconds off his previous 100-freestyle time (1:03.70). In short sprints, taking off time like that is so hard that it shows he's really working hard on his technique," she said. "Also, junior Laura Clem again dropped her 500-freestyle time, taking off another five seconds to finish in 6:52.51."

Some first-year team members showed great progress, according to Singleton.

"Cambrie Leaver, Maddie Busick and Felix Leahy, all new to the team this year, also did a great job and lowered their previous times..."

For more advanced swimmers, this time of the season is when they get a feel for their fitness and start to focus on where they really hope to be for championship races.

"Brooke Robillard and Lydia Bartlett continue to lower their times as they work towards returning to State this year," said Singleton. Both girls, along with Meredith Mandal, played key roles in the girls' state trophy-winning team of 2018.

A dual meet allows swimmer and coaches to try new things, so Singleton invited some of her swimmers to move out of their normal races and try new events.

"We had some kids really step up and take new challenges," she said. "Junior Connor Crowe swam his first 500 freestyle, which is the longest distance race in high school swimming. It's a tough race to pace when you've never done it before and he did a great job, finishing strong."

She added, "Mary Root and Maddie Busick also completed their first individual medley races."

Singleton is pleased with the team's progression as they prepare for this week's competitions, a dual meet at Philomath Friday, January 18 and the South Albany Sprint Meet Saturday, January 19.

"Overall, it was a great week. We are starting to solidify relay teams and individual events for District and will continue working and competing hard," she said.