By KIRA WATSON

The Bellefonte swim team is preparing to start their season with head coach Matthew Horner and goals set to accomplish this year. 

Overall the team has 15 swimmers: 11 girls and 4 boys. Having a small team has made their bond really tight, as they spend so much of their time together at practice having fun and doing what they love. 

“My favorite thing about the swim season is that since we have a smaller team we are all really close. We have a bunch of little traditions and team bonding activities that make the team so much fun” junior and Swim Team Captain Natasha Hoffman said. 

The team lost five senior girls from last year: Alyssa Brezler, Zoey Cole, Clarissa Haak, Caroline Helms, and Hannah Thomas. This has been a little bit of a setback, but they are still looking up as they have had new additions to the team.

“We also gained four new freshman who should be able to make up for it,” Natasha said. 

The only senior this year is Casey Corso. The swimmers will be sad to lose him after this season though. 

“He is such a funny personAdd SNO Story Element and creates a fun environment for an intense sport,” junior Rianna Morris said. 

The team has a busy schedule this year, including eight dual meets and two invitationals. In February and March they have districts and states to round out their season. 

With their busy schedule, the team has set many goals they would like to accomplish. They are hoping to break records, make and win districts, and send some swimmers to states. The swimmers have been working really hard, and although practices might be tough, they are seeing results, leading them to be excited to start the season. 

“Something that I love about swimming is the outcome that comes from hard work. Practices are not my favorite but if you work hard you can see great results in your times,” Rianna said. 

Overall, the swimmers are ready to start the season and have fun doing what they love with their friends.

“Something I am looking forward to this year is getting to swim with some amazing and talented people. I hope that we can all have fun and work hard,” Rianna said. 

Their first meet was Friday, December 6 at Tyrone. Bellefonte lost, but did well overall considering Tyrone has twice the amount of people. The next meet will be December 16 against Huntington at Juniata College.