BRUNSWICK

There are high hopes for area swim teams as the season for some kicks off tonight, while others have to wait until next week.

At Brunswick, David Bright’s Dragons look to defend their Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championships, with 61 swimmers hitting the pool at Bowdoin College.

Morse has 47 swimmers in Todd Marco’s program at the Bath Area Family YMCA, with his boys hoping to improve one spot in the State Class B meet after finishing second last year.

Mt. Ararat has enough swimmers to put together relay teams, while Wiscasset, though small, looks to take big leaps this season.

Brunswick

Bright took a double dip last season, diving in clothes and all after his boys captured their third consecutive KVAC Class A title and the girls took home No. 2 in a row.

“Both teams will be considered contenders again this year,” said Bright, whose Dragons open Tuesday at Morse. “I believe we are in the top two or three teams in the state, with the guys stronger and the girls challenging.”

The boys, who finished third in the Class A meet last year, have a solid senior core with Jacob Cost (threetime KVAC champ in the 100 back), diver Ezra Rogers (fourth in State A last season), Oliver Smith, Drew Gallant and Eric Kousky. Juniors Nate Sampson (State champ in two events), Ben Farrell, Keenan Andrews and Rene Yost, along with sophomores Henry Raker, Eddie Capoldo and Chris Roderick look to challenge, and Bright has several freshmen who hope to make an impact.

On the girls side, Anna Kinnee, Laurel Margerum, diver Olivia Dumont, Anna Ferdinand, Ema-Leigh Aschbrenner, Marion Newby, Rosie Capoldo, Natalie Champagne, Charlotte Cooney, Julia Rider and Allie Ring give the coach a strong senior lineup, while juniors Emma Blair and Lynsie Russell lead the relays that won two state relays last year as Brunswick finished second to Cheverus. Ellie Peabody, Amelia Hawley and Quinn Alexander round out the returning juniors, while sophomores Hannah Escoe, Sarah Buckley, Long Reach Swim Club standout Caitlin Tycz and Lauren Grochell are solid.

“Our depth at most events is solid, as we can go two or three deep,” said Bright. “Right now, we are practicing to see who will emerge. It will be exciting.”

Morse

It was not too long ago that the Shipbuilders were seemingly struggling with numbers.

Not any more, as the Bath YMCA pool is full during practices, and Marco feels his squad will be able to challenge for postseason glory this year.

“The girls will definitely give KVAC a run, and I believe they will finish high come the state meet,” said the coach, whose Shipbuilders open tonight at 7 p.m. at home against Lewiston. “The boys should also be strong, possibly win KVACs and challenge for states after finishing as the runner-up last year. We don’t have those first-place swimmers, but we have a lot of depth, both in relays and in individual events.”

Co-captains Madison Burch, Bronwyn Morissette and Allison Plummer are the senior leaders, with classmate Sophie Sreden back. Juniors Emma Berkowitz, Haven Cole, Lexi Stevenson and Meghan Stover are solid, along with sophomores Brittany Kaler, Arielle Leeman and Ann Tolan, who Marco feels “will set several team records before she is done.”

The coach is excited about his freshmen, which include Olivia Carosi, Halley Gellatly, Zenaide McCarthy and Leah Totman.

Senior captains Drew Ceglinski, Wesley McKenna and Paden Stanton lead the boys. Though Marco has no juniors, his sophomore lineup is strong with Tucker Banger, Camden Fitzgerald, Max Gurney, Cameron Marco and Patrick McKenna. Freshmen Nick Hennin and Ben Willertz are solid newcomers.

Mt. Ararat

Co-coaches Tracy Doviak and Jackie Cobb have a small boys team, but a rather large squad of girls, with 35 swimmers.

“We are still learning, but we have good depth,” said Cobb, whose Eagles open on Tuesday at Waterville. “It’s great to have numbers to fill out the relays. And, we have a few Long Reach swimmers this year, giving us some experience.”

On the girls side, seniors Abbey Morgan, Kaylin Huey, Kristin Sullivan, Cathy Hendee, Emma Hutchinson, Nicole Labbay and Kayley Ornsby (injured) are back, along with juniors Molly Huey and Mackenzie Dufresne. Exchange student Sabrina Suhrmann, a junior, joins the fold. Cobb said the coaches are still evaluating the sophomores and freshmen, with several beginners in the fold.

Though the boys are only 11 deep, there is talent, according to Cobb.

Seniors Josh Ferguson and Garrett Gelwick, and sophomores Edwin Ickes- Coon, Will Ferguson, Ryan Clark, Jacob Burnett and Matt Schott are working hard, with freshmen Riley Saunders, Aaron Hyde and Devin Hoskins looking to crack the lineup.

“We have four that swim with Long Reach, which is certainly new for us, and we will have good relays among the boys,” said Cobb. “We realize that when we go into a meet with a team like Brunswick, with no chance of winning the meet due to numbers, that we need to work on our individual goals and just try to keep improving those times. I expect to see more qualify for states this year. That would be great to see.”

Wiscasset

Nori McLeod’s team has grown to 10 swimmers, a vast improvement over the past few years as the Wolverines have prepared hard for their opener tonight at home against Erskine Academy (6 p.m.)

“It’s a promising year for the Wolverines in the pool,” said McLeod. “I am pretty excited to be in double digits this season, and we have some returners who expect to do well.”

Senior captain Julia West and classmate Maeve Carlson, along with junior Amanda Marcus are the top returning swimmers for the girls, while senior Kyle Viele, junior captain Sam Storer and sophomore Colin Viele are back for the boys.

Sophomore Jenna Bickford is a newcomer for the girls, while the boys feature newcomers in senior Ridge Barnes, sophomore Aidan Carlson and freshman Ryan Medina.

“This season, just like last year, as Wiscasset will be swimming alongside Hyde, and even through we are still competing against each other in meets, we practice and travel together as a team,” said McLeod. “Collaborating has been a good experience for both teams as it allows the kids to meet new people their age and branch out from their small schools.

“With a team this small, I wouldn’t say there is any one ‘key swimmer,’ as everyone is just as important as the other. They all have to pull together and make every one of their swims count.”

McLeod’s expects improvement.

“Having a year under my belt as a coach, I am expecting a lot more out of my athletes,” said the coach. “We have started this season strong and I am hoping for a lot of dropped time from the kids. As long as they ‘leave it all in the pool’ and do their best I will be happy. That is what makes you successful, giving it all you got 100-percent of the time, not how many awards or recognitions you have.”