Having a program that watched several three- and four-year performers – especially the girls – graduate last spring, Whitehall swimming figured it would have a rebuilding season this year.

However, the Zephyrs pleasantly have been surprised.

Beginning this week, Whitehall’s girls team had an overall 8-3 record, while an undermanned boys unit had a 5-6 mark. It has been a rewarding, not rebuilding, year for veteran head coach Pete Rile.

“We’re doing really well,” said Rile, reflecting on the first two-thirds of the regular season. “We really thought we would be rebuilding. We lost a lot on the girls side, and we lost a few seniors on the boys team.

“We still had to rebuild a little, but we didn’t expect this.”

On the girls side, the Zephyrs have been paced by a veteran unit of seniors Mairead Doyle, Alex Dorner, Madison Lyle, Alexis Merkert, and Grace Sullivan, all of whom have provided leadership.

“They all have been big point scorers for us,” noted Rile of his upper-class swimmers. “They have been a pretty solid group and have worked with the younger swimmers. They have really worked to keep us going.”

Rile has been impressed with the freshmen that consistently produced throughout the season. Martha Giletto already has qualified for districts, and several others are expected to follow suit.

“Our freshmen have been posting some impressive times,” added Rile. “We expect to have a few more qualify for districts.”

On the boys side, seniors Mike Haggerty and Felix Figueroa have led a small, but productive unit of eight that has surpassed any preconceived notions.

“Mike (Haggerty) already has qualified for districts and Felix (Figueroa) is within tenths of a second to get there,” said Rile. “Right now, we have four out of our eight boys who have qualified and that’s pretty impressive.

“Our goal was to get five wins and we are already there. They could get to .500 this season, but it might be difficult. Still, I can’t say enough about the effort the boys have given this year. We are really throwing two-thirds of a team out there against other teams. “

Freshman Dan Jablonski is among some of the younger swimmers who have impressed and have earned a ticket to the postseason. Jablonski set a record in the 200 freestyle and was also part of a record-setting 200 medley team.

The Zephyrs have five meets left that began with Stroudsburg Thursday. They have three meets the following week, highlighted with senior night Feb. 11. Their final meet is against Central Feb. 18.

“We need to keep working,” said Rile. “We expect to have good unit at districts this year.”