A large turnout for women’s swim and dive promises what the coaches feel like will be a strong  competitive team and a strong post-season performance for this year’s aquatic lady patriots.

The team is seeing a mix of new talent and returning veterans that the coaches feel will be a dynamic mix of athletes. Frequent afternoon workouts are pushing the team towards achieving their inner potential.

Star athletes this year include Mackenna Briggs, who has qualified for State in all eight events, sophomore Ellie Hohensinner who swam a 5:16.78 in her 500 free, Lauryn Hepp who swam a 59.89 in her 100 back, and Cecilia Nelson who swam a 5:25.24 in her 500 free. Also, junior diver Christina Sargent qualified for state. According to Daughters, the team will need all the talent they can get in order to succeed this year.

“We’re in a tough side of the league this year,” Liberty swim coach Kris Daughters said. “It doesn’t mean that we won’t be able to win. It just means it won’t be easy.”

Coach Kyle Duggan feels that regardless of what is ahead of the team, the hard work and practice they have behind them will surely get them where they need to be. The team has thirteen Kingco qualifiers this year, as well as six District swimmers and four headed to State.

“We will have a good turnout for Kingco this year,” Daughters said. “Many freshmen are going to qualify for Kingco as well as the returning swimmers who routinely qualify.”