Swim season — Kearns' Cougars are strong favorites to win

DRAPER — The swimming feats of Natalie Edge haven't been swept under the rug or anything like that, but for a junior who's won all four of her individual state events, little had been written or said about the superstar before the season began.

But hey, that was just fine with her.

"I kind of like to be in the background," Edge said. "I don't like being the center of attention."

That's a luxury Edge won't have this season.

She managed to avoid center stage during her first two seasons, mainly because she swam alongside Kearns' Jennifer Fredsall. Fredsall won the Class 5A Swimmer of the Year in 2005 but has since moved on to the University of Utah.

Accordingly, Edge will be leading the Cougars' team this season as they look to continue their impressive run near the top of Class 5A.

Because the prep swimming season is only a month old, there's still plenty of time for the Kearns' coaching staff to decide which two individual events Edge will swim in at state. Regardless of where she swims, however, she's already racked up impressive times in a host of events and will contend with a trio of other swimmers for outstanding female swimmer honors. Those other three would be Brighton's Ana Agy, Skyline's KC Albiston and Skyline's Anna Crandall.

As far as both of the Cougars' teams are concerned, they'll once again be competing for top honors in 5A, and as usual, it looks like Skyline will be in the way.

For Kearns, however, one good thing has come out of realignment — the Cougars will be strong favorites to win both region titles this season. That's because realignment has taken Skyline out of Region 3.

"That's really nice," Horne said about being the favorite to win Region 3. "It's always a goal and to have that opportunity is great . . . I think Bingham will give us strong competition."

It could be easy for the Cougars to get frustrated about Skyline. Kearns has built an outstanding program over the past decade, but all its accomplishments have been overshadowed by Skyline's state wins. Instead of getting frustrated, though, Horne doesn't let it bother him.

"Swimming's just different from other sports," he said. "Swimming is still mostly an individual sport."

After a meet against Riverton last week, Horne wondered if his training routine wasn't catching up with his swimmers.

"The training is starting to get to them," said Horne.

To combat that, Horne said it'll be important to keep things in perspective.

"You have to keep the kids mentally focused," he said, "and realize what's ahead. They may hit their top time only once a year."

Region 3 boys' swimming

(Predicted order of finish)