LA GRANDE — The La Grande swim team will be on the road to open the season, traveling to Newport for action on Saturday, Dec. 9, for the NewPort Invitational.

The Tigers will be in the pool against teams from Astoria, Cascade, Newport, North Bend, Phoenix and Rainier.

After a significant loss to graduation last season, the team this year consists of 16 swimmers, including freshmen Oliver Gorham, Hunter Austin and Rinnah Lynch.

“We are looking at a little bit smaller team this year but no less enthusiastic,” head coach Cheyenne Maszk said. “We are coming off an amazing year last year and we hope to continue to grow and build.”

The team will be led by captains Jake Weigand and Shiloh Lynch and will feature returning state champion Zane Ricker. Others on the squad include McKinley Kruse, Anica Sester, Hannah Zamora, Ginger Chandler, Griffin Gorham, Evan Zastrow, Jayden Riley, Reece Koyle, Opal Alf Rippee and Cecilia Villagomez Edvalson.

“We are excited as a team and I am proud to coach such a great group of kids,” Maszk said.