The majority of last year's Freedom High School's girls swim team will be returning for the 2014-2015 season with their first meet scheduled for Dec. 5.

Key returners include Helen Hsu, Shannon Howell, and Kelly Kopko. Carly DelFranco's return is in question as of Press deadlines.

Freedom swim coach Jon Larson said, "I have high expectations for the team, in general. Last year was my first year, and we didn't have a lot of numbers to raise the bar. I can raise that this year."

Larson is also expecting to add quite a few new girls to his roster.

On the boys team, Sam Magnan, Shjon Watlington, Cameron Bell, and Brandon Burnett are among the key returners for the Patriots. Freshman, Colin Burnett, will also be one to watch.

"Sam will be favored to be a state champion. People around the state will be setting their sights on beating him," said Larson.

The boys team, however, is low in numbers at this time.

"Overall, it's going to be a struggle. We only have 12 on the roster right now. We might have one or two more. Some freshmen will step up. I can see the fire in their eyes," Larson said.

Regarding the new East Penn Conference, Larson pointed out that none of the former Mountain Valley Conference schools have diving, so that will hurt the Patriots. In fact, the northern schools probably will not provide much competition, and the formidable competition Freedom had in the past is missing from the official regular season schedule.

"They took Emmaus and Parkland off our schedule, so I added them and Southern Lehigh," said Larson.

The Patriots are scheduled for a double dual meet this Friday with Emmaus and Wyoming Valley West. Swimming will take place at Emmaus, and diving will be held at Freedom.