By Sam Wood

Following a historic undefeated season last year, the swim team is gearing up for its first meet with lofty expectations for this year’s team.

The Huskies finished last year’s regular season with a 10-0 record and went on to place fifth at the 2008 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship. As the first meet nears, the team said it hopes to keep up the momentum and improve on individual and team levels.

“We hope to continue what we did last year, to strive for consistent excellence not only in the meets, but more importantly in practice,” said head coach Roy Coates. “We must always practice at a high level.”

In addition to a grueling practice schedule, the team will run an intra-squad meet this Saturday to get back into the routine of competition.

“It’s our first chance to get up and race against each other and, in general, it gives us a better idea of how the freshmen perform,” said senior co-captain Alexandra Doty.

At the end of last season, the team graduated only three seniors but gained 11 new swimmers for 2008-2009.

Coates said the addition of so many freshmen is “adding a lot of depth and talent to an already impressive team.” He said that although the freshmen are strong collectively, there are a few who already stand out as assets to the team.

Jill Kearns, a freshman from Milford, already has times that are competitive on a collegiate stage. She is proving herself as a well-rounded swimmer, competing in butterfly, freestyle and the individual medley, Coates said.

Rachel Mondello, a sophomore transfer student from Keene State, is a seven-time All-New England and NCAA selection, and excels in the freestyle

In diving, Rachael Peterson, a freshman from Wellesley, has emerged as one to watch, going undefeated her senior year of high school.

Senior co-captain Elena Alvarez said she is optimistic that the new athletes will push the team to improve as much as possible.

“We have a really positive attitude, even more so than in past years, and we just have really good team unity,” Alvarez said. “With that will come really great swimming.”

The potential of the freshmen, coupled with the talent of the more experienced athletes could strengthen the team and make for an even more successful season.

“The ultimate goal is to place high in the CAA Championship and to get every swimmer and diver to achieve their personal best,” Coates said.

Though many teams would be daunted by the prospect of living up to such high standards, the swim team members said they are up to the challenge.

“It’s nothing we can’t handle,” Alvarez said.

The intra-squad meet will be Saturday at 9 a.m. in Barletta Natatorium. The team’s first dual meet is scheduled for Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. at Boston College.