Maggie Gruber is back for more.

As a freshman swimmer at Mars last season, Gruber placed second in both the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke at the WPIAL Class AA girls championships before winning a state title in the butterfly event.

“She'll definitely be swimming the fly again this year,” said Mars coach Heidi Brandon. “The backstroke we're not sure about. She may swim it, but there are a few other events we may put her in.

“Last year, she had nothing to lose as a freshman,” Brandon added. “We just want to keep her focused and healthy.”

Preview capsules for Butler County high school swim teams follow.

Note: Grove City High boys and girls swimming coach Karen Wendelschaefer did not return repeated phone messages regarding this story.

Butler

Coach: Ken Bedford, first year

2009-10 record: Girls (4-6); Boys (2-8)

Key returners: Girls — Seniors Brianna Keelan (team captain, backstroke, butterfly); Jordan McElhaney (200 IM, 50 free, 100 backstroke) Morgan Morrison (100 breast, 200 IM); Meredith Harbison (diving); juniors Caitlyn Kaufman, Stephanie Croft and Amber Zanella (diving)

Boys — Seniors Keegan Walters (team captain, breaststroke) and Jake Allen (diving); junior Travis Myers (backstroke) and Mark Malecky (diving)

Bedford says: “We just had a scrimmage against Knoch and I was hearing a lot of the kids say they had a personal best and that's great. Win or a loss, as long as they swim their best and swim their hardest, I'm happy.”

Freeport

Coach: Tom Sweeny, first year

2009-10 record: N/A

Swimmers: Girls — Senior Jamie Boyle (team captain, 100 backstroke); freshmen Rebecca Dudek (50 freestyle, 100 butterfly) and Kylie Lucas (100 breaststroke)

Boys — Seniors Ryan Sweeny (team captain, 50 and 100 freestyle), Josh Carion (50 and 100 freestyle) and Alex Keener (200 IM, 100 breaststroke)

Sweeny says: “”A couple of swimmers are capable of qualifying for the WPIAL meet. Jamie was on the brink of qualifying in the 100 back, so I'd like to see her make the WPIAL her senior year. ... These goals, you have to be realistic.”

Knoch

Coach: Rick Hassler, third season

2009-10 record: 7-6 (boys and girls)

Key returners: Girls — Senior Kristy Daubner (relays, freestyle); sophomores Anna Cunningham (50 and 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke) and Katie Jones (distance)

Boys — Seniors Josh Tackett (50 and 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke) and Van McCarren (distance); junior Jacob Shoemaker (IM, butterfly)

Hassler says: “Every year we keep growing. Hopefully, we're doing the right thing. ... We've got some depth, but we have versatility, so we can put people in and they'll do well for us.”

Mars

Coach: Heidi Brandon, fourth season

2009-10 record: Girls (5-1 in section); Boys (3-3)

Key returners: Girls — senior Corinna Luschini (500 free, 200 IM, 100 breaststroke) and sophomores Maggie Gruber (100 butterfly, 100 backstroke) and Phoebe Pierre (500 freestyle)

Boys — junior Jack Muehlheuser (100 backstroke, 200 IM)

Brandon says: “We have a good group of younger (female) swimmers coming up and there should be good competition for relay spots.”

Seneca Valley

Coach: Jerry Koller, second season

2009-10 record: Girls (10-2); Boys (7-5)

Key returners: Girls — seniors Makena Lynch (freestyle events), Stephanie Ciraula (distance freestyle and 200 IM) and Jenn Suder (diving), juniors Rebecca George (100 breaststroke and 200 IM) and Alicia Zylka (freestyle events and 100 backstroke) and sophomore Katie Miller (freestyle events and 100 backstroke)

Boys — seniors Justin Pritchard (50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke), Tony Geyer (50 freestyle and 100 backstroke) and Dylan Bilka (diving), juniors Nick Wargo (200 IM, 100 breaststroke and 100 backstroke) and Matt Myers (freestyle events)

Koller says: “We have experienced leadership (with the girls). It's a pretty close bunch.“We've got a fairly veteran bunch on the boys side. We're looking for some of them to take the next step, medaling at WPIALs and possibly getting to states.”

Slippery Rock

Coach: Cindy Johnston, second season

2009-10 record: The girls and boys teams both had winning records

Key returners: Girls — seniors Nicole Moraitis (200 IM and 100 butterfly) and Chloe Pizor (200 freestyle) and junior Kelsey Reott (distance freestyle and 100 backstroke)

Boys — junior James Udischas (distance freestyle) and sophomore Brandon Bridges (200 IM and 500 freestyle)

Johnston says: “We have some freshman girls coming in that should help boost us.“On the boys team, we have just seven swimmers. Hopefully, we will get some strong individual performances.”