Saxon swim athlete Chloe Marazzanni, ’26, competes during a 2024-2025 dual meet against West Salem High School. She competes during the 200-yard freestyle relay, swimming the fourth and final leg. Photo taken by Connor Stewart, ’26.
Marazzanni Receives Local Nomination, Establishes Goals for Season
I found out from my Mom who had texted me that I was nominated. Given that I was injured last season and I’m also not the most popular swimmer in the district, I was definitely surprised. But, I feel very happy knowing that I got recognized from something I’ve done for so long,
Chloe Marazzanni, ’26, said.
After rehabbing a broken foot and swimming through injury at last year’s OSAA 6A Swim Championships, Marazzanni is opening her final swim season with grand aspirations. In the quest of her first local award, Marazzanni aims to become this week’s Statesman Journal Girl’s Swim Athlete of the Week (Dec. 8-Dec. 14). The Statesman Journal announced that Marazzanni was among their nominees earlier this week.
Winning a Statesman Journal award has always been a goal of mine. It means a lot to me that I was nominated and could achieve something of this magnitude. This shows me that I’m doing something right and it’s brought me so much motivation.
After injury derailed her junior season, the vetted swimmer looks to build from these recent announcements, attempting her healthiest and most successful season yet. Mainly, she’s looking to improve her personal records in her marquee events, as well help her team win the Central Valley Conference (CVC) once again. The senior emphasizes that the bond between her teammates and their support is another inspiration for her final season.
I’m looking to place on the podium for the 100-yard breast stroke and improve my 50-yard freestyle time. And, it would be cool to win districts this year so that way we’ll have won it each of the last four years. Saying that my team won each year I competed sounds cool.
For the last three years, South Salem’s team has won the the CVC districts title; they’ve sent athletes to the state meet the last three years as well. After a partial rehab of her foot, Marazzanni was among last year’s attendees, partaking in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Swimming the third leg in the quartet, Marazzanni recorded a 28.31 second split. Her efforts helped the Saxon’s achieve a top 15 placement in the race.
Looking forward to this year’s state meet in February, Marazzanni hopes to punch a ticket in either of her individual events as well as member of a relay team. She has competed in the 200-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle relays at previous dual and CVC district meets.
Making it back to the state meet is rather important to me because it’ll let me prove to myself that I am a fast and accomplished swimmer. It would give me the satisfaction of knowing that I can compete with the best of the best in Oregon.
It’s the Family Business: Marazzanni on Her Family Connection With Swim
But, while her goals mean a good deal to her, swimming is more than just times, records and competitive nature — it’s her family legacy. What started as family exercise turned into a sisterhood bond and a crucial part of Marazzanni’s identity.
I was first involved in swim team when I was two years old. Both of my older sisters swam and so it became a family tradition. I learned to love the sport throughout my years of swimming. This sport has always been a place to destress, so it became my therapeutic outlet. Swimming has definitely influenced me as a person as I became sort of a leader in the sport. It taught me to contain my emotions and useful exercises for breathing. These don’t only help me in the water, but they help me stay mentally organized.
