The Parkland girls swimming team has been the gold standard in local programs over the past several seasons. The Trojans come into the 2014-15 season with a streak of 28 straight wins to their credit and are looking to expand that record.

Last season, the girls finished sixth in states as a team after winning districts for the sixth straight time. The team was led at states by Siena Salvaggio, who is now a junior, and finished third in the 100-yard freestyle and fourth in the 200-yard freestyle at states. Erin Jordan is now a senior and had an impressive fifth place showing in states in the 500-yard freestyle. Senior Erika Freeman and junior Victoria Connolly are also returning to help add stability to the girls team.

Even with quality returning swimmers on the girls side, the combination of strong swimmers who graduated and the emergence of programs at other schools will give the Lady Trojans a battle if they're going to repeat their success in leagues and districts.

"The district is highly competitive," said coach Rob Robitaille. "Other programs are growing at a rapid pace, and we aren't replacing our numbers like we once did. If the girls come to work we have a shot at staying as successful as we have been. If they get relaxed in their training, then the rest of the district will pose more than a threat to our past success. I believe that we have what it takes to continue to be successful, but I also recognize that the area is growing with a lot of top talent that we need to account for in any way we can."

After a 7-5 season last year, the boys side is looking to re-emerge this season. There were plenty of losses that will have to be accounted for, but with some up and coming young swimmers, there is hope that the Parkland boys will again be at or near the top of the league standings and will be a contender for a district title.

Parkland has Adam Sicinski, who finished 12th at states in the 50-yard freestyle, returning for his senior season. Senior Anthony Coates also returns as one of the key leaders for the boys team, which is going to be relying on a lot of younger swimmers to fill holes and the overall success on the boys side will rely on just how quickly they're able to develop.

"We have several freshmen on both sides that have been working hard doing their best to try and fill some of the holes we have from the losses due to graduations," said Robitaille. "As long as the depth works as hard as they can, we can fill some, but not all of what we lost. We are in the day and age now that anyone that comes out for our team is expected to work hard enough to represent our team at districts."

Robitaille hopes to have more relay teams qualify for states this season than they did last year, but is also looking for individual success from the swimmers on his roster to have success in both the league and district battles.

With the losses to graduation and lower numbers than in past seasons, the Parkland program is depending more and more on young swimmers to step up quickly and contribute to the team's success.

"Unfortunately, the day and age of being able to develop and then take your role in a year or two are gone," said Robitaille. "We need help from everyone on the team, and we need it now. It's going to require that our younger athletes come of age much faster than we would have needed to ask several years ago. If we get to work, we can win. If we get relaxed, we can fall short."

Parkland opens its season Thursday hosting Easton, has a quad-meet on Saturday and will take on nonconference rival Southern Lehigh next Tuesday at home.