Berths in the state meet are up for grabs at this weekend's district meet

The South Albany girls claimed second place at last season's Mid-Willamette Conference district swimming meet and coach Jennifer Stadstad believes her squad can do it again this year.

"We have so much depth on our girls side," Stadstad said, adding that she will be able to field a full complement of swimmers in most of the events this weekend. "We're looking crisp, fast and ready to go."

The Rebels, and everyone else in the conference, will be chasing Crescent Valley, last season's district and state champions.

South Albany has several girls seeded highly at the meet, which will be held Friday and Saturday in Corvallis.

Stadstad thinks that last season's success will serve her team well. Last year was the first season under the new classification system and the Rebels were able to send several swimmers on to the state meet.

Now the team must build on that experience.

"The big thing is to trust themselves, trust their training, the hard work they've put in," Stadstad said.

The Rebel girls are the second seed in the 200 medley relay, and are the fourth seed in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

The top individual seeds for the Rebels are Rachel Hanke, who is seeded second in the 100 backstroke; Katelyn Johnson, who is the third seed in the 500 freestyle; and Stacie Struble, who is seeded third in the 100 butterfly.

On the boys side, Stadstad thinks the Rebels can push for third behind favored Crescent Valley and Corvallis.

"We have a lot of boys seeded in the top 16, which all count for points," she said.

The South Albany boys are the third seed in the 200 medley relay, the fourth seed in the 200 freestyle relay, and the fifth seed in the 400 freestyle relay.

Dan Struble is the Rebels' top individual seed (No. 2 in the 200 freestyle). Keith Childers is seeded third for South in the 200 individual medley.

West Albany's depth doesn't match the Rebels and head coach Babette Romancier is hoping each of her squads can place in the top four in the team standings.

But the Bulldogs have several legitimate title hopefuls in individual events.

Kyle Hausheer is the top seed in the 50 and 100 freestyle events and Ben Nierman is seeded first in the 100 butterfly and the100 backstroke.

Romancier said that both Hausheer and Nierman are aiming their preparations to be in top form for the state meet and they won't be fully rested for districts.

"At the same time, they're both swimming really well," Romancier said.

The West boys are seeded 10th in the 200 medley relay, but are the third seed in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

Bulldogs Kailey Carter and Anna Lutze are both highly seeded in their individual events.

Carter is seeded second the 100 butterfly and third in the 100 breastroke.

Lutze is seeded second in the 50 and 100 freestyle races.