BUTLER TWP — They don't compete. They don't keep score. They wear costumes, not uniforms.

But make no mistake. The Butler Aquaettes are athletic, have tryouts and are very serious about what they do.

“A lot of people don't realize this program has been around since the 1960's,” said Dacia Cavaliero, coach of the team for the past 18 years.

“I've been in and out of coaching a lot of things at Butler. I've coached swimming, a little bit of diving ... I like the non-competitive atmosphere and the performance aspect of what we do with the Aquaettes.”

The Aquaettes consist of 11 girls and four boys. They have been practicing two hours a day, five days a week, since January in preparation for a pair of shows this weekend at the Butler High School pool.

Cassie Cornelius and Olivia Yomes are the lone seniors on the squad. Cornelius has been with the program for four years.

“We have only one former swimmer on the team this year,” she said. “Swimming skills are not a pre-requisite because we teach everyone interested what they need to know.

“If someone trying out can perform the basic skills, there is a place for that person on our team.”

Cavaliero said as many as three or four Butler swim team members have performed for the Aquaettes in past seasons.

“It's hard because the swim team's season and ours do cross each other,” she said. “But in some years, we do get swimmers and divers joining us after their season ends.”

This weekend's shows — beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday — are approximately two hours long and consists of 18 numbers or routines.

This year's show theme is Emotions.

“Some of these kids will be involved in eight or nine numbers,” Cavaliero said. “That's like a swimmer doing eight to 10 events in a swim meet.

“A number may last as long as three minutes of constant activity in the pool. There is a lot of stamina involved.”

That's why the Aquaettes' practice time increases as the show dates approach.

“We've been going three hours per day in recent practices, getting ready and fine-tuning everything,” Cornelius said.

Those elongated practices culminated with a dress rehearsal Thursday night.

The Aquaettes' numbers are all synchronized, Cavaliero emphasizing that “we go over and over again until we get it right.”

The routines include inverted twists in the water, some dives, thrusts, lifts, etc.

Each of the 18 routines presents different costumes as well.

Maddy Blystone is a sophomore and is in her third year with the Aquaettes. Her sisters performed in the organization, as did her aunt.

“Most of the team members had family members or friends do this before them,” Blystone said. “This is one big giant family.

“There are different skill levels, something for all body types. Everyone is welcome.”

As the show dates approach, Blystone said “it's not a case of being nervous, it's being excited. We've all been doing this for so long and we're anxious to perform.”

Cornelius had cousins on the team in previous years and attended the annual show as a spectator for a long time.

“I've dreamed of being part of this team,” she said. “Now that this is my last show ... I'm going to miss this. For the past four years, I've given up every January through April to do this.

“We all know each other so well. I love these people like my own family.”

Cavaliero said the Aquaettes used to have as many as 40 team members. That number has dwindled through the years.

“There's so many other activity options for kids now and a lot of kids work,” the coach said. “But the enthusiasm and dedication? That's never changed.”