Head coach: Patrick Stewart

Team captains: Ana Brestin, senior, Julia Crumb, senior.

Last year: Assistant coach Carly Petrzelka said the team last year was the biggest it’s ever been and they had good results, but she believes that this year’s team can do even better.

Team advantages: “We had a really big group of girls, a team of 40 last year, we had a lot of success, we went all the way through districts meet and girls had best times the season ended well,” she said. “We had a rocky start last year, we had heater issues. Comparing last year to this year, it’s been awesome.”

This year the team membership is a bit smaller, at around 30 swimmers, but Petrzelka said having fewer swimmer means the team has some more space and can get more individual time in the pool.

At their first meet of the season the team broke five school records for the 500-meter freestyle, 100-meter breaststroke, 200-meter individual medley, 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke.

“The girls are already, three weeks into the season, way of head of where they were last time,” she said.

Team challenges: The team didn’t meet for two days last week due to the smoke covering the area and ash getting into the pool. Instead the team met indoors which gave the swimmers a chance to sign up for events. Their first day at the pool was the day of their first meet with Skyline. Despite some worrying weather, the meet was held as planned.

Last year’s graduation also meant that the strong senior swimmers are no longer on the team, and while that is a hit that every school sports team takes, it also gives an opportunity to the younger athletes to step into leadership roles, Petrzelka said.

“We have two captains, they are doing a great job leading the team,” Petrzelka said. “I feel like with the freshman talent this year, we have an opportunity to really go further and continue to have a lot of good momentum with breaking school records and qualifying for things we have not historically been able to.”

Don’t-miss match: Petrzelka said their home meet against Eastlake, Tuesday, Sept. 19, will be one of the good upcoming matches for the team to showcase their skills.

2017-18 Mount Si Varsity Girls Swim Schedule

Home meets are at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge Pool

Tue, Sep 19 Eastlake 3 pm at Home

Thu, Sep 28 Bothell 3 pm Away JuanAC

Tue, Oct 3 Inglemoor 3 pm Away JuanAC

Thu, Oct 12 Issaquah 3:45 pm at Boehme

Thu, Oct 19 Woodinville 3 pm at at Home