The youthful Phoenix swimming teams got their feet wet in December....literally.

Consisting of mostly freshmen and sophomores, the Pirates toured the state for early-season meets while also turning in a strong series of practices over the holiday break to prepare for the drive toward the post-season.

"Most of our competition has come from larger schools from around the state," first-year Pirate coach David Ford said. "The team has performed great."

On December 9 the Pirates were in Grants Pass, taking part in a meet hosted by Hidden Valley High School. The boys placed fourth as a team while the girls were fifth. Meet highlights for the boys included Makio Potts finishing second in the 100

backstroke, River Delco third in both the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly, Eli Cruise fourth in the 100 freestyle, Orlando Contreras fifth in the 200 freestyle and Devon Hawn fifth in the 100 freestyle. For the girls, Laurelin Jansen was fifth in the 100 freestyle and Emily Montoya fifth in the 500 freestyle.

Phoenix kept the road trip going, heading to the Newport Invitational on December 10. The girls finished sixth and the boys seventh in the team competition. Jansen finished fourth in the 100 backstroke and Montoya fifth in the 500 freestyle to pace the ladies. For the gents, Delco was fourth in the 200 free and Potts fourth in the 100 butterfly.

The Pirates were back in Grants Pass on December 16 for a three-team meet with the host Cavers and South Medford. Delco was second in the 200 freestyle and fourth in the 100 breaststroke, Janes third int he 50 freestyle and fourth in the 100 breaststroke, Potts third inthe 100 butterfly and fifth in the 50 freestyle, Orlando Contreras fourth in the 500 freestyle and Hawn sixth in the 100 backstroke.

Phoenix returns to action on January 12 when it travels to Coos Bay for a dual meet with Marshfield before venturing the Klamath Falls on January 14 for the Henley Freeze.