The 2012-2013 men’s and women’s varsity swim team practices officially started on Nov. 16.

 Practices are held at the Arena Club Aquatics Center on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings. 

The women’s team has 34 girls, much larger than last year’s team of 13 swimmers.  The men’s team, however, is still undermanned with only eight swimmers.  The minimum amount of swimmers a team can have is seven.  

The first women’s swim meet is Wednesday, Dec. 5 at Notre Dame Prep.  The first men’s meet is Tuesday, Dec. 11 against Indian Creek School at Bel Air Athletic Club.

The first co-ed meet is the Icicle Invitational Relay Carnival held at Magnolia Middle School on Dec. 14. Teams from all over the county compete in a series of different swimming relay races. 

“My goal for this year is to survive the boys’ team and for the girls to win the championship,” swim coach Larry Dukes said. 

“I’m really looking forward to this year’s swim season,” sophomore Taylor Fitzgerald said.  “I hope to have fun and make new friends.”

Caitlin Wolfarth is a News Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.