In her first swim meet of the new season on Friday against Emmaus, Freedom junior, Helen Hsu, tied the Freedom High School pool record in the 100 free, and later broke it in her lead off split in the 400 free relay in 52.58.

Hsu also won the 50 free in 24.38.

"I was faster than I expected, but that's not the most important part. The most important part is to bring the team together and have fun. We're so excited, so full of energy, and dedicated. It's fueling the Freedom High School team a lot," said Hsu.

Although the Patriot girls ultimately lost to the Green Hornets 111-75, first-year head coach, Jon Larson, was pleased with the meet itself.

"We made no mental mistakes. I didn't expect the pool records. That was exciting," Larson said.

Freedom's Carly DelFranco, Kelly Kopko, Hsu, and Shannon Howell won the 200 medley to start off the meet in 1:53.40, and Hsu, DelFranco, Caitlin McCadden, and Howell won the 400 free relay in 3:48.38 to close the meet.

DelFranco won the 200 IM in 2:16.73 and the 100 backstroke in 1:00.70, and Howell took first place in the 500 free in 5:15.48.

"I like [the 500 free] because it gives me more time. If I mess up, I can recover because it's a longer race," said Howell.

The Patriot girls are adjusting, not only to a new coach, but to a new team this season.

"It's a totally different team now, and it's nice to have a different atmosphere," Howell said.

Hsu feels the same way.

"I love our girls team, and we have a lot of freshman girls right now," she said.

The largest representation on Freedom's swim team, however, comes from the junior class, guaranteeing a strong future for the Patriots.