This year, it's all about the numbers.

Under second year coach Stephanie Karwoski, Knoch appears to be attracting more swimmers, which can only help to strengthen the program.

"I love seeing this team grow," said Karwoski. "This is our biggest team in a long time. We have 29 on the boys and girls teams combined.

"I swam at Knoch and seven was our biggest number. This group is growing, and that's awesome."

The Knights girls team lost six seniors out of the 18 members last year, but were able to replace them.

Butler coach Jeff Armstrong has also seen a bump up on the roster with 12 freshman swimmers and divers on the squad.

"We're a young team but still have some strong seniors," said Armstrong, also in his second season.

Seneca Valley boasts its usual numbers, about 16 girls and 17 to 18 boys while the Mars girls team has 21 members, including a large number of freshmen.

The Freeport girls team placed eighth at the WPIALClass AA championship finals last year with only six members.

"That's the accomplishment," said Freeport coach Gregg McQueen. "We only have five girls this year, so I'm not expecting that again."

Of course, the Yellowjackets also placed eighth two years ago with five swimmers.

Grove City coach Karen Wendelschaefer could not be reached for comment.

Butler

Coach: Jeff Armstrong, second year

2005-06 record: N/A

Key returners:

Girls-Seniors Molly Evans (freestyle, individual medley), Sarah Clouse (butterfly, breaststroke) and Ellen Crummy (breaststroke, backstroke, IM); junior Brittany Vogel (freestyle, backstroke, IM).

Boys-Seniors Clif McKee (backstroke) and John Rhodaberger (diving); juniors Michael Coulter (butterfly, freestyle, IM) and Hans Berger (distance freestyle, breaststroke); sophomore Jason Clouse (freestyle, backstroke)

Outlook: Evans and McKee will help bolster a squad with a lot of younger swimmers aboard. Armstrong is optimistic about a top 10 finish at the WPIAL meet for the girls team, and Evans, Clouse, Crummy and Vogel have a shot at going to states, which the foursome missed by three one-hundredths of a second last year."We had a strong group of junior girls last year, and they're all back," said Armstrong. "We set seven girls team records last year and all those girls are back."Individually, we have good swimmers that can win a lot of events. Teamwise, that will depend on the development of a lot of freshmen and new members. Expectations are high for individual achievement."Freeport

Coach: Gregg McQueen, third year

2005-06 record: 2-10 (girls); no record (boys)

Key returners:

Girls-Juniors Andrea McQueen (freestyle, breaststroke) and Gail Erickson (IM, backstroke); sophomores Katy Screen (freestyle) and Brittany Korbeck (freestyle).

Boys-Nick Ippolito (freestyle, butterfly).

Outlook: Andrea McQueen placed second in the 100 freestyle and third in the 100 breaststroke at the WPIAL finals last year after placing second and fourth, respectively, the year before."She's been in USA Swimming meets and had a meet a couple of weeks ago and did pretty well," said coach McQueen about his daughter. "She's stronger this year."We have no pool, so the kids have to practice. basically, it's up to them. We'll have three or four good swimmers if they stay with it. That's what it takes. Swimming is a commitment,"McQueen added.Freshman Keil Erickson is the girls squad's other swimmer while Ippolito is the lone swimmer for the boys team.Knoch

Coach: Stephanie Karwoski, second year

2005-06 record: N/A

Key returners:

Girls-Seniors Justine Beck (utility), Colleen Cunningham (middle distance), Stephanie Fincher (sprint freestyle), Heather Molnar (IM) and Kailyn Mowry (middle distance); junior Paula Pivaronas; sophomore Rachel Tano (sprint, freestyle, breaststroke).

Boys-Juniors Doug Vogus (IM, butterfly) and Matt Mahan (breaststroke).

Outlook: With its largest team. the Knights are able to fill out relays and have a lot of swimmers to move around."The numbers are developing," said Karwoski. "The kids last year, I was unsure if they wanted to work. Now, more kids have come out and they saw the success from last year's team."Karwoski is assisted by Pete Pivaronas and Dr. Joseph Cunningham.Mars

Coach: Gail Quigley, third year

2005-06 record: N/A

Key returners:

Girls-Junior Chloe Pierre (breaststroke); sophomores Rachel Szymkowiak (butterfly, backstroke); Jeanna Smialek (butterfly, backstroke) and Courtney Shields (freestyle).

Boys-Seniors Jess Gavin (freestyle) and Dave Pierre (freestyle, breaststroke).

Outlook: The Planets have a lot of young swimmers on the girls side as their numbers continue to build."I think our girls will have their best season ever," said Quigley. "Their section has changed a little, and their record will be much better. There are 16 meets and I think they'll win about 10.As for the boys, the Planets have only seven swimmers."We look about the same as last year," said Quigley. "We could have the seven best boys and still lose a lot of meets."Seneca Valley

Coach: Tom Donati, 10th year

2005-06 record: 6-5 (girls); 5-6 (boys)

Key returners:

Girls-Seniors Elyse Dobrick butterfly), Marissa Behning (backstroke) and Kelly Connolly (breaststroke); juniors Rose Snyder (freestyle) and Emily Wolfarth (distance freestyle).

Boys-Seniors Chris Baker (utility) and Scott Bowser (breaststroke).

Outlook: The Raiders' girls squad returns a wealth of key swimmers, including Dobrick (second at the WPIAL meet in the 100 butterfly; St. Francis [Pa.] recruit), Snyder (third in the 200 freestyle) and Connolly (third in 100 breaststroke, qualified for PIAA in two events)."I think we're bringing back a more mature team," said Donati. "We should improve. Our three captains are good leaders. We've got a lot of younger kids coming in that look up to them. It's not so much what you do in the dual meets, but how you do at the end of the year."Baker, who has been swimming for about 1Z\x years, is headed for St. Bonaventure, and Bowser qualified for the WPIAL and PIAA last season.Slippery Rock

Coach: Kirby Burns, fourth year

2005-06 record: 7-5 (girls); 4-8 (boys)

Key returners:

Girls-Senior Vicki Kosirek (backstroke, butterfly); juniors Alyssa Martinez (freestyle) and Whitney Snyder (freestyle); sophomore Hannah Parson (breaststroke).

Boys-Senior Josh McCracken (freestyle); sophomores Chuck Davies (butterfly) and Andrew Opalewski (freestyle, breaststroke).

Outlook: The four girls mentioned qualified for the District 10 meet either as individuals or as part of relays. Kosirek set a school record in the butterfly. Sophomore Sophia Tsiris will also make a big contribution to the squad."We have a small girls team (nine), but I'm hoping they can all qualify individually," said Burns. "For Vicki, I have the greatest hopes and expectations. Every year, she knocks about three or four seconds off her times. Every year my goal for the team is a top 10 finish."The Rockets' boys team currently has only six swimmers, but are looking to freshmen Kyle Hawk and Caleb Sykora-Bodie for an added boost.