On Friday, February 12th and Saturday, February 13th, La Salle’s swim team will be heading off to districts, their final swim meet before state. Both the boys and girls teams are heading into the district meet with a 7-1 record in league competition, with their only loss to Liberty HS. The district meet will determine which athletes will be able to compete at the state swim meet, which occurs February 19th and 20th at the MHCC Aquatic Center in Gresham.

The girls team has earned the title of Co-Dual Meet Champions and the boys have finished in second place earning praise from head coach, Mikel Rathmann. Coach Rathmann states, “I feel this season has been a huge success. With lots of young, new swimmers joining the team, I didn’t know what to expect. However, they have all stepped up and done a great job in whatever I have asked them to do. Their hard work has paid off with the 7-1 record which is an improvement for both boys and girls from last year by a couple wins each.”

Coach Rathmann suspects that both teams have a chance to finish in the top 2 or 3 at districts this Friday and Saturday and is hopeful saying, “Both teams finished 3rd last year, so if we can take a step forward to 2nd place that will be a great accomplishment.”

With districts approaching quickly, the swimmers have been preparing and are fairly confident in their team’s capabilities. Sydney Nakagawa, sophomore, reflects on her team’s accomplishments this season, saying, “There is a lot of hope going into districts this week and state the following week. Many people have been improving throughout the season, which will definitely show at districts. There is a lot of pressure on people as they head into districts, but I know the team will do great based on all the hard work and time they have put in to get this far.”

As for who is suspected to go to the state competition, Coach Rathmann states, “We are also looking to qualify a couple boys and girls relays as well as a few individuals to state at the district meet.” First place winners at districts automatically qualify for the state meet. Then the next seven fastest times, from throughout the state, qualify as wildcards to the state meet.

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Stay tuned to the Falconer for coverage of the district and state championship meet coming soon!