FHS girls swimming and diving coach Jen Marshall sees two good reasons why her 2010 squad will improve on its fifth place finish in last fall's Missota Conference race: depth and leadership.
"Our depth will really surprise people," she said, "and it may prove the difference in the conference meet.
"Our senior leadership will facilitate camaraderie which will lead to success in and out of the pool. From looking at our early practices we as coaches are cautiously optimistic about having a very successful season."
Another reason for Marshall's optimism is only three members from last year's squad graduated last spring. That leaves 19 letterwinners around whom the team can build in 2010.
Leading the list of returnees are senior Elizabeth Wolfe and ninth grader Kaitlyn O'Reilly, who were both named to the all-conference team last fall. Two more returning veterans, senior Caitlin Kracke and junior Abby Haugen, earned all-conference honorable mention in 2009.
Marshall said she expects her team to be especially strong in the freestyle and backstroke events, with the relay teams providing the biggest challenge in the early going.
Marshall tabbed Northfield as the team providing the biggest obstacle to a first-ever Farmington conference championship. Defending champion Rochester John Marshall appears to be the team to beat in Section 1AA.
Joe Velaski, a member of the FHS class of 2004, joins Marshall as varsity assistant coach. John Tegg will work with the divers, and Tiger boys coach Ryan Hamen will handle the middle school team.
The Tigers open their 2010 season with a dual meet with Apple Vally, Thursday, Aug. 26, at Dodge Middle School.
