The Golden Eagles Swim Team is opening its packed schedule with high hopes and some improved numbers.

Last season, the boy’s team competed with only five athletes, three of whom graduated last year.

This season the Golden Eagles will return only one boys starter: Bellwood-Antis sophomore Spencer Dunklebarger. Dunklebarger will prove to be a huge asset, just as he was last year. He will compete in the 100 breaststroke and 100 freestyle.

However, the team has recruited a number of new athletes and while it might take them a few weeks to learn the events, it should make for more competitive meets. Senior Jacob Greene, junior Justin Jackson, and Bellwood-Antis junior Cole Cherry will provide numbers and have continued to show improvement within the first few weeks of practice. As the season progresses, they will be major contributing members.

Last season, the girls also struggled with low numbers, but with impressive races by Madison Coleman, Sarah E. Hoover, and Lucia Isenberg, the team maintained a winning season.

This year, the girls return six letter winners from last year’s squad, Victoria Reese, Isabella Rhoades, Ellie Oakes, Ashlee Walk, Kiersten Friday, and Sarah M. Hoover.

Reese is the most versatile girls swimmer, competing in the 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 200 free, and 500 free as well as the relays.

Rhoades, who swam the 100 butterfly last season, will try her hand at some new events this season as the breaststroker for the 200 medley relay. Her main individual events will likely be the 100 breaststroke, 100 butterfly, and 500 free.

Oakes returns for her fourth season as the 100 butterfly swimmer. She will also make contributions in other events such as the 200 IM, 200 free, and 500 free in previous years, but will primarily swim the 100 butterfly and 200 free this year.

Walk’s role is arguably the most important: the sprinter. Walk will take the torch from Madison Coleman and lead the 50 free and 100 free races, as well as the 200 free relay.

Friday previously swam the 200 individual medley and will continue to do so as well as competing in the 100 free.

Hoover will dominate long events like 200 free and 500 free, and will swim the freestyle leg of the 200 medley relay.

This season will have its obstacles, with back-to-back meets in December as well as away meets at rival teams Clearfield and Hollidaysburg.

The team is excited to kick off the schedule and the seniors are looking forward to putting on a show for their final year.

“I’m really excited for the meets to start. We have been practicing a lot in preparation, and I think it will really show tonight with our races. This group of senior girls are committed and have a strong bond, so it makes practices and meets really fun,” said senior Ashlee Walk.

The Golden Eagle Swim team opens their season with a tri-meet at home on Friday, December 10th at 6:00 against Bellefonte and Penns Valley.