Lava Bears trio lead Bend High swim team in pursuit of records – and a three-peat

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Hadley Hayes and the Bend High Lava Bears are looking to make a splash in the state meet as they set their sights on a three-peat.

"Senior year, going out with something - it's really fun, really exciting. I just know that our training has really set us up to where it's going to be really good."

Junior Maddie Thornton is excited to see what this team can accomplish: "It's super-exciting. We obviously really want to try and repeat what we did last year. As a junior, it's super-fun because I have this year and then next year, so we can try and do it again."

Hayes, Maddie Thorton, and Emma Bronson — three Division 1 swimmers — have been pushing each other to new heights.

Bronson, who set an individual state record a year ago, said, "Yeah, I think in practice we push each other a lot when we're doing hard sets, and we're like, 'Okay, keep going, one more,' just cheering each other on."

Last year, the team set a scoring record in the 5A classification, and the trio broke two state records themselves. Now, with the state meet approaching, they look to add even more to the record books.

"I want to break the 100 backstroke high school record," Hayes said. "One of my mentors who graduated set it previously."

Thornton added on, saying, "Personally, I want to break the state record in the 100-back(stroke). I was super-close last year, but this year, hopefully, I can get it."

First-year head coach and former Lava Bear swimmer Alex Winslow says the three have set the standard for the program.

"They really help set that standard where we work hard, do well in school, and do our best to reach our goal," Winslow said. "And our goal is to win."

The swimmers spend countless hours in the pool year-round, whether it's for the Lava Bears or the Bend Swim Club. Bronson noted it's different when they jump in the pool for their school.

"Yeah, I think the high school season is a great break from club for us, because we get to swim with a different group of people. It’s less pressure, and it's just more fun to represent your high school and wear the Lava Bear on your cap."

Now, as they dive into the state meet with confidence, the Lava Bears are ready to leave their mark and cement their legacy as some of the greatest athletes in Central Oregon history.

Thornton said, "We have a new freshman that will probably be on our relays, so it'll be fun to see if we can get that record again."

Bronson added, "I think we get nervous sometimes, but the nerves kind of go away when you're having fun with your team."

Hayes continued, "Not only have we improved ourselves, but I think overall, it's going to be a really well-performed meet."

The 2025 state swimming championship begins on the 21st of this month in Beaverton.