The Parkland girls swimming and diving team will have some new faces guiding the program this year.

Last year, with the leadership of seniors Erica Reifinger and Emily Stang, the Lady Trojans experienced great success. They finished with an overall record of 11-1-1 as a team, and placed first at the District 11 meet.

Reifinger (100 back and 200 free) and Stang (100 free) were district winners and the most experienced on the team. But head coach Rob Robitaille feels that he has a group that can continue on with the success.

"While this year's team is smaller than its past predecessors, we have an abundance of skill within our seniors, returnees, and promising newcomers," Robitaille said. "Senior leadership remains dedicated to leading our team through a tough season."

Senior Megan Polaha (100 breast) and sophomore Erika Freeman (200 individual medley) are returning District 11 champions. They are joined by Abbi Walsh, Judy Skinker, Amanda Zerphy, Madeline Hain, Paige Kennedy, Emily Kingston and Shannon Bonner, who all have varsity meets under their belts.

Some of the newcomers looking to help out are freshmen Siena Salvaggio, Tori Connolly, Caroline Stang, Kira Karopoulos, Paige Klemovage, sophomore Erin Jordan and senior Katie Kapelsohn.

This will prove to be a difficult year with the top swimmers graduating and a competitive conference.

"This year, the parity of a growing District 11 and Lehigh Valley Conference makes defending last year's district title extremely challenging," said Robitaille. "Emmaus, Liberty, Nazareth and Freedom are tough, however, this team's focus remains to defend its title through tough training, technique, dedication and commitment to the team."

The boys swimming and diving team ended last season with a 12-1 mark, but finished second behind rival Emmaus at the district meet. This year's team is determined to bring back gold to Parkland.

"Last year the boys placed higher at states than the prior year," said Robitaille. "Like the girls team, this year we're smaller than prior teams, however the motivation to continue the tradition of successful swimming is as high as ever. The boys believe in training to succeed and are focusing the entire team to the task."

The boys won the 200 free relay at districts and returning senior diver Jacob Lenhart won the only individual gold for the Trojans.

Robitaille brings back some experienced athletes ready to excel in seniors Lenhart, Mitchell Keller, Christian Schlegel, Chris Strauss and Jack Walton. Also, juniors Joseph Fasching and Alex Bukoski, and sophomores Tony Coates, Rhett Karopoulos, Aviad Mana and Adam Sicinski will see their time in the pool.

"This year's team has set demanding goals and will be working tirelessly towards achieving them," said Robitaille. "They will be facing an extremely talented and spread out competition base in Emmaus, Liberty, Freedom and Nazareth."