The Philomath High School boys and girls swim teams will open their seasons Wednesday with a home tri-meet against Sisters and Crosshill Christian, and fourth-year head coach Iliana Kaiser likes what she’s seen from her squads in the early going.
The program has 31 athletes this winter — 19 boys and 12 girls — with Kaiser noting the turnout exceeded her expectations after losing several seniors from last year’s rosters.
“I think they’re looking really strong,” Kaiser said. “It’s only been a week and we’ve had a lot of kids in and out but the new ones that have come in, there’s only like two out of like the 15 that I have to do really basics … but they’re looking promising.”
The Warriors boys squad has grown significantly under Kaiser’s tenure, expanding from about 11 swimmers when she took over to 19 this season.
Leading the way is junior Lucas Brandt, who captured the state title in the 100-yard breaststroke last season and placed third in the 500 freestyle. Brandt has set his sights on the school’s freestyle records this winter.
“He told me his goals and he’s thinking of going after the rest of the freestyle records this year,” Kaiser said. “It’s too early to know exactly what he wants to specialize in for state but I think anything he goes into, he has a good shot of doing well and competing with the other schools.”
Brandt already holds school records in four events — 200 individual medley, 500 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 100 breaststroke.
Senior Cameron McLennan returns after reaching the state finals in the 100 butterfly, where he placed sixth. Kaiser said McLennan is hoping to return to state in that event and improve on his finish.
“My first round of freshmen as a head coach are all graduating,” Kaiser said, McLennan being one of them. “It’s crazy, they’re all growing up.”
The boys 200 medley relay that finished seventh at state last February brings back three of its four swimmers — Brandt, McLennan and senior Mason Stevens. Kaiser said she’s optimistic about getting both the boys medley relay and potentially the 200 freestyle relay to state this season.
“It’s a little rough because they don’t swim year round but once they get a full week in, they’re solid and ready and focused,” Kaiser said.
The girls team faces more of a rebuilding year after losing several swimmers from last season. Junior Emma Mecham is the only returning athlete with state meet competition experience, though she’s had a slow start to the season due to illness. Sophomore Alyssa Weeber and junior Kate Burriel both showed promise last season and are expected to be among the top contributors this winter.
Kaiser is particularly excited about freshman Adelina Kowalewski, who has been swimming with the Corvallis Aquatic Team since fifth grade.
“Just watching her swim, she’s so smooth and graceful,” Kaiser said. “I’m excited to see her throughout the season and in the next four years if she chooses to stay with us.”
Despite losing depth, Kaiser said she has confidence in her returning swimmers.
“There are some very strong swimmers that I know are going to do well,” Kaiser said.
The early part of the season has presented some challenges with the Thanksgiving holiday affecting attendance and several athletes dealing with illness.
“Thanksgiving is a really rough holiday at the start of a season to work around and you have people traveling and sicknesses and end-of-school term stress,” Kaiser said. “But they’re all still looking really good.”
Kaiser’s early-season focus is on technique work before moving into endurance training and helping swimmers identify which events they want to specialize in.
The Warriors will compete in several invitational meets this season, including appearances at Cascade (Dec. 17), Sweet Home (Dec. 19), Stayton (Dec. 27), Newport (Jan. 9) and Blanchet Catholic (Jan. 24). Kaiser is particularly looking forward to the Newport Invitational on Jan. 9.
“We haven’t gone in a couple of years but we’ll be there with Newport and West Salem,” she said. “I think they’re both small teams compared to ours but they’re fast and so I think it’ll be a good precursor to districts.”
Home meets this season include Wednesday’s opener against Sisters and Crosshill Christian, followed by Dec. 10 vs. Cascade and Kennedy, Jan. 14 vs. Stayton and Blanchet Catholic, Jan. 21 vs. Kennedy and Salem Academy, and Jan. 28 vs. Junction City and Marist Catholic.
The Special District 4 championship meet is scheduled for Feb. 13-14 in Albany, with the state meet following on Feb. 20-21 at the Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center in Beaverton.
Kaiser said one of her goals this season is to qualify as many swimmers as possible for the second day of the district meet, particularly with several schools having lost seniors and potentially opening up more qualifying spots.
“Last year was really competitive with trying to get in, so we’ll see if it brings down the average a little bit,” she said.