The Phoenix swimming teams feel great about having a "normal" season once again.

After an abbreviated 2020-2021 season that took place last spring, the Pirates are back in their natural habitat of a traditional winter season. Two-a-day workouts at the outdoor Daniel Meyer Pool in Ashland helped to prepare Phoenix for the majority of its schedule, leading up to the OSAA State Meet in February.

The Pirates opened the season on December 4 at the Medford YMCA where they tangled with North and South Medford. The Phoenix boys finished second to South Medford. Veterans Zyan Shull-Bain and Rose Moser turned in new personal best times. Meanwhile, a host of newcomers were also impressive.

"Our newest Pirates were impressive in speed, resilience and effort and made big contributions to our relay efforts and team scores," said Coach Jim Heath, who is in his 25th season of coaching the sport at the school.

The Pirates returned to action on December 11, making their annual trip to the Newport Invitational. The girls finished fifth as a team while the boys placed sixth. Sophia Stubblefield finished third in the 100 backstroke and fifth in the 200 free, Laurelin Jansen was second in the 100 backstroke and fifth in the 50 freestyle and Elwood Hosking was fourth in the 50 freestyle and fifth in the 100 backstroke.

Phoenix returns to action on January 8 at the Grants Pass YMCA.