With a pool that every school is dying to swim in, this year Coach Richard Johnson may have a tough time defending his home turf.

The Swim and Dive team’s finishing in the mid-teens at last years state championships its uncertain where the teams will fall this year.

“We’ve got some good leadership,” Johnson said of having a strong team.

Over the past decade the girls team typically outshined the boys with starts like Ashley Chandler and Laura Mozden, but now the teams left without ‘stars’ must resort to their deep roster.

Senior leadership is big this year, not just with the captains, but with all of the seniors.

“We’ve got to make sure the underclassmen are ready for the long haul,” said Nick Gould, senior.

The team, who start light practices near the end of summer, goes through the winter months with some early morning practices.

“It gets pretty fridgid,” Gould explained, “but it’s worth it in the end.”

Swimmers like Justin Roan, senior, Marque Hurd, junior and Bria Peterson, junior, will stand out this year with their hard work and dedication.

“We have some people who live for this,” Johnson explained.

The team expects a better finish than last years fourteenth place but know that it will be tough considering the competition.

Last year Hamilton finished high up in the rankings knowing that Chandler is coming after them this year.

“It’s [the rivalry] isn’t as big as in football,” Gould said, “but it’s still there. No one likes losing to a Husky. Especially their senior year.”

The Huskies aren’t the only Chandler team the Wolves have to worry about this year. Basha finished only one place behind them in last years state meet.

If the Wolves plan on moving up in the rankings they will have to use every member of their team and not rely on one person to get all of the points.

“We don’t have a huge star this year, it’s going to be tough,” Johnson said. The Wolves know that and are ready to work and everybody can shine.