Lakeland High School’s swim team has improved with each meet this year, even breaking school records.

After taking the year off last year, Lakeland’s swim coach Beth Brant is back at the helm. She is optimistic about the season and about her swimmers.

“I have a good team this year,” Brant said. “I took the year off, and I’m coming back to a team who is making progress by leaps and bounds each meet.”

Both the boys’ and girls’ teams have been breaking school records.

In their meet against rival King’s Fork, the boys’ relay team cut its time by 16 seconds.

Brant has just two seniors this year, one on each team. Some of the underclassmen are swimming competitively for the first time. That means the Cavs have the potential for an especially good team in the next couple of years.

“Knowing that we have so many underclassmen on a team is encouraging,” Brant said. “They will get better and stronger through the years, and that’s very encouraging.”

Senior Hart Parker leads the boys’ team. Sophomore Corey Hasson also has been a promising swimmer thus far. Hasson has broken school records and is versatile, as he can swim any stroke. The boys consistently excel in the freestyle relays.

Jenna Christmas is the only senior on the girls’ team. Sarah Stansick, also an LHS field hockey player, has been showing promise, as well. She can swim any stroke, but she excels in freestyle and the backstroke. The girls’ team strengths are in the freestyle and backstroke events.

The Cavs want to focus on time this year. For each meet, the team sets a time goal and looks to improve on that time every chance they swim.

“My goal for every meet is to look at what their previous times were and to cut those times,” Brant said. “Scores in swimming are not always a true reflection of a team’s growth, progress or even strength. It is in the times. My swimmers, both boys and girls, are consistently shooting for lower times and have been achieving that at each meet this season.”

As a coach, Brant looks at where her swimmers started and gauges their progress from there. The holiday break is soon approaching, and Brant is confident in her team now. Across the board, she feels that all her swimmers have an internal drive to improve.

Lakeland will be back in the pools again Jan. 5 at Great Bridge Swim and Raquet Club.

“They are constantly amazing me with their strength and determination to improve in their knowledge, strength and speed in swimming,” Brant said. “I am excited to see how they will continue to grow throughout the rest of the season.”