Sweet Home swimmers earn two state runner-up medals

Huskies produce personal bests, tight finishes and relay growth at OSAA championships

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Ten Sweet Home High School swimmers closed their season with a series of personal bests, podium finishes and program-building momentum at the 2026 OSAA 4A/3A/2A/1A Swimming Championships. Sophomore Khloe Sautel placed third in the 50 Freestyle and second in the 500 Freestyle, while senior Andrew Tolman took second in the 100 Backstroke. The Huskies also saw strong relay performances and individual improvements, with head coach A.J. Bronson praising the team's mental preparation and determination.

Why it matters

The Huskies' strong showing at the state championships reflects the growth and potential of the Sweet Home swimming program. Despite a small roster, the team was able to produce multiple medalists and relay finishes, suggesting the program is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory in the coming years.

The details

Sophomore Khloe Sautel placed third in the 50 Freestyle with a personal-best time of 25.22 seconds, and second in the 500 Freestyle with a time of 5:13.10. Senior Andrew Tolman took second in the 100 Backstroke, edging the third-place finisher by one-hundredth of a second with a time of 59.60. Junior Austyn Hogan delivered a dramatic 20-second time drop in the 500 Freestyle, finishing with a time of 5:13. The Huskies' relay teams also showed progress, with the girls medley relay team and boys medley relay team both placing in the top 10.

  • The 2026 OSAA 4A/3A/2A/1A Swimming Championships were held on February 20-21, 2026 in Beaverton, Oregon.

The players

Khloe Sautel

A sophomore swimmer for Sweet Home High School who placed third in the 50 Freestyle and second in the 500 Freestyle at the state championships.

Andrew Tolman

A senior swimmer for Sweet Home High School who took second place in the 100 Backstroke at the state championships.

Austyn Hogan

A junior swimmer for Sweet Home High School who delivered a dramatic 20-second time drop in the 500 Freestyle at the state championships.

A.J. Bronson

The head coach of the Sweet Home High School swimming team.

Grayson Savri

A sophomore swimmer for Sweet Home High School who broke the 30-second barrier on his breaststroke leg in the boys medley relay.

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What they’re saying

“I think we do a good job all season preparing them for state and districts. I try and focus a lot on the mental aspect of swimming to make sure they have the confidence to hit the times we know they are capable of.”

— A.J. Bronson, Head Coach (lebanonlocalnews.com)

“The 50 (is) an event I don't normally swim, and I got to swim against some pretty fast girls. I was fourth going into finals and I was so happy to end the weekend getting third.”

— Khloe Sautel (lebanonlocalnews.com)

“To not let the moment overcome you is a huge obstacle and takes several years to learn and he nailed it. I knew he would break a minute that day but I didn't know if he would hang on to second place.”

— A.J. Bronson, Head Coach (lebanonlocalnews.com)

“Getting second in the 100 Back as a senior meant so much to me. It was the highlight of my whole swimming career.”

— Andrew Tolman (lebanonlocalnews.com)

“It's a huge stepping stone. The breastroke breaking a 30 sets up a medley relay like no other, to be competitive at that level, you need a fast breaststroker.”

— A.J. Bronson, Head Coach (lebanonlocalnews.com)

What’s next

The Sweet Home High School swimming program will look to build on its strong performance at the state championships, aiming to recruit more swimmers and score even more points at future competitions.

The takeaway

The Sweet Home High School swimming team's success at the state championships, despite its small roster, demonstrates the program's dedication to mental preparation and development of its athletes. The team's mix of individual and relay achievements suggests a bright future as the Huskies continue to grow and improve.