The Falcons Make a Splash at Districts

Sofia Gonzalez, Assistant Editor
February 15, 2023

  • Districts was a two-day event in which your performance on the first day determined if you would compete the next.

    Rita Tran
    '

  • Districts was a two-day event in which your performance on the first day determined if you would compete the next.

    Rita Tran
    '

  • Districts was a two-day event in which your performance on the first day determined if you would compete the next.

    Rita Tran
    '

  • Districts was a two-day event in which your performance on the first day determined if you would compete the next.

    Rita Tran
    '
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The swim team made a splash at districts which took place on Friday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 11, determining which swimmers will compete at state.

Last year, the team had a phenomenal district meet with 16 swimmers qualifying, ultimately ending with a first place title for the girls team and a third place for the boys.

This year proved to be a little harder compared to years past, as notable competitors Canby High School and Hood River Valley High School dropped down to 5A. These teams provided a little more competition than 5A has seen in the past.

Consequently, this caused the buildup to districts to be a little different this time around. Sophomore Rowan Mozena said that as districts approached this year she became “really nervous because last year was a lot more chill because we didn’t have as intense of competition.”

For many swimmers, districts is the last meet which can be even more emotional for seniors as it marks the end of an era. This is true for senior Nikola Jelusic: “I feel kind of sad,” he said. “But I think all things have to come to an end eventually, and I’ve accepted it.”

Jelusic has swam at La Salle since his freshman year, qualifying for State all three times as there was no district meet during his freshman year due to COVID.

Even with the increase of competition, three individuals and three relays qualified for state.

The individual qualifiers are Kayla Chapman (100-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke), Aidan McCarthy (50-yard freestyle), and Nikola Jelusic (100 breaststroke).

The relays that qualified are the women’s 200-yard medley, swam by Kayla Chapman, Rowan Mozena, Rachel Yaskovic, and Gabby Wolfe. The men’s 200-yard freestyle and 400-yard freestyle swam by Nikola Jelusic, Aidan McCarthy, Charlie Doughtery, and Keenan Geyer also qualified.

The women’s 200-yard Medley team also beat a La Salle school record in the process of qualifying for state with a time of 1:57.12.

Districts, while being super competitive and nerve racking, also had its fun moments. The seniors from La Salle dressed up in beach theme attire and jumped in together one last time at the end. 

The state meet is a two-day event and will take place on Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18.Â