Liberty High swimmers Kate Dwelley and Katelyn Brix have shared plenty of life experiences during their seven-year friendship. As members of the Terrapins Swim Club, they've competed in meets around the country while developing their individual strokes. As sophomores in 2005 they swam among some of the best in the world at the World Championship Swim Trials in Indiana. And throughout their high school careers they've enjoyed marked success.

This week Dwelley and Brix shared yet another big moment, as they signed their official letters of intent to swim for major Division I colleges next fall. Dwelley will stay in the Bay Area to attend Stanford while Brix heads east to Ohio State University.

Dwelley, who also competed at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials and came two places from making the team, considered the University of Arizona, Arizona State, UCLA and USC before ultimately deciding to swim for the Cardinals.

"It's the closest to home and it's just the best combination of swimming and academics," said Dwelley, who has a 4.17 grade point average. "I worked really hard through high school and I kind of wanted to get rewarded for it."

For Brix, the chance to study outside the Bay Area was an exciting endeavor.

"I think it's going to be a new experience. A good adventure," she said. "I've always wanted to travel and see other places."

Brix considered Indiana University, University of Maryland, University of Hawaii and the University of Pittsburgh before deciding on OSU.

"I really clicked with the team. I loved the area and the school was beautiful," Brix said. "I just felt like I really fit in there."

As members of Liberty's 400-yard freestyle relay team, Dwelley and Brix are looking to win the North Coast Section title this spring after taking second last year as juniors. Individually, Dwelley hopes to break the NCS record in the 100-free while Brix is "going for those NCAA cuts."