Instead of an entire rebuilding process, Whitehall will look to retool its swimming program this winter.

With a rash of recent success, the Zephyrs certainly can stay on that course.

Veteran head coach Pete Rile will welcome 15 returning female swimmers as well as seven freshmen.

“We have a good nucleus coming back,” said Rile. “We have kids who progressed well last season and then moved on to the post season. We also have a very good group of young swimmers coming in.

“However, we did take some hits.”

One of the more notable swimmers missing from the lineup this winter will be four-time state butterfly qualifier and two-time district champion Mina Feyrer, who has taken her talents to the University of Delaware this fall.

“Losing Mina (Feyrer) was big and she is not easily replaced,” added Rile. “But we do have a number of people back who can help.”

At the start of the season, Rile will look to seniors Grace Sullivan and Alexus Merkert to help pace the girls.

Sophomore Steph Setar, who had a nice year last season, figures to help provide leadership. Sullivan, Merkert, Setar along with freshman Mairead Doyle already have qualified for districts.

With a core returning, Rile can watch his younger core of girl swimmers develop along the way and provide added depth.

“We have a freshman group coming in that may have a number of them qualify for districts,” said Rile. “Some of them swam in the youth nationals and did very well. So far, we have been pleasantly surprised to see that they can do.

“We really expect them to help fill in the blanks where needed for us. They are now learning what high school swimming is about and they have adapted well.”

On the boys’ side, seniors Felix Figueroa and Mike Haggerty, who both qualified for districts last year, will both provide leadership. Both of them have qualified for districts.

Freshman Dan Jablonski already has caught his coach’s attention and already has qualified for districts.

However, the boys once again face a numbers issue, and they will need to make the most of every opportunity.

“We don’t have a lot of boys, but we have a talented bunch,” said Rile. “They will need to win or be among the top three in their events for us to be competitive. It will be an interesting season for them.”

Whitehall did begin the season on a good note as both squads won their meet against East Stroudsburg South.

Rile expects Emmaus, Liberty, and Parkland to be among the stiffest competition for them in the East Penn Conference.

“We have a full schedule,” he said. “But we do have a chance to do some damage in the league. Emmaus, Liberty, and Parkland have a phenomenal amount of numbers on their teams.

“But we expect to take our whole team to districts this year.”