JACKSON TWP - The Seneca Valley girls swim team isn't the only Raiders squad making waves this season.

The boys have joined in the fun as well.

The girls and boys are currently 9-2 and 8-3 overall, respectively, while both sport 3-0 records in Section 2-AAA.

The girls are striving for their first section title since 2001-02 while the boys have their sights set on their first section crown in coach Tom Donati's eight-year tenure.

"The boys still have Fox Chapel and (North Allegheny)," said Donati. "It's going to come down to those two meets."

Seneca's boys and girls entered this season from opposite directions.

After finishing 6-5 in the regular season last year, the girls squad finished second at the WPIAL Class AAA championships and eighth in the state meet. Returning talent promised another strong showing this year.

The boys team finished 2-9 a season ago and entered this year with more question marks than answers.

That didn't last for long.

"The boys have won more meets this year than the last two years combined," said Donati. "We beat Shaler and North Hills, teams that we hadn't beaten in three years. We also beat Shady Side Academy, the favorite to win the WPIAL (Class AA) team title."

"I was a bit surprised at first at the success we've had," said junior Ben Gutmann, who will swim the 100 breaststroke at the WPIAL meet in March. "But it just seems we're a lot closer as a team this year, like we're a family."

How did the boys squad go from obscurity one season to the doorstep of a section title the next?

"Hard work," said Donati. "We lift weights in the morning three days every week. It's optional, but (Wednesday morning) 16 boys showed up. We didn't have that kind of commitment before."

Senior Drew Snyder has led the way.

Snyder qualified for the PIAA meet last year in the 50 freestyle after finishing fourth at WPIALs, but his most valuable asset is the example he sets for his teammates.

"Other guys see his work ethic and his determination," said Donati. "That's what makes him a good swimmer."

"Our success comes from each guy wanting to reach his full potential," Snyder said. "We're getting better individual performances and that has solidified our team."

Snyder currently owns the fastest time in all of WPIAL Class AAA this season in the 100 freestyle with a time of 48.91 seconds.

"The success we're having as a team this year, it goes beyond any bit of satisfaction I had last season as an individual," said Snyder. "It means so much more when every member of the team can enjoy it."

In addition to their fine performances in the team standings in both the WPIAL and PIAA meets last season, individuals from the girls team went medal shopping.

Included in this group was Stacie Safritt, who took second place at the WPIAL meet in the 50-yard freestyle, while Kylie Gamelier was third in the breaststroke and second in the butterfly at districts.

Throw in two WPIAL titles in the 200 freestyle and 200 medley relays, and the girls squad capped an extraordinary late season run.

Safritt, Gamelier, senior Mandie Huffman, junior Lauren Bezier and sophomores Elyse Dobrick and Kelly Connolly all returned, bringing lofty expectations with them into this season.

"I've had girls teams with better records than last year," said Donati. "But that was definitely the best championship team since I've been here."

North Allegheny was the only team to top Seneca at last year's WPIAL finals. This year's section title most likely will be decided when the two teams meet Feb. 17.

NA is loaded, but so are the Raiders.

Seneca Valley swimmers are scattered throughout the WPIAL's current top 10 Class AAA rankings in girls events.

Connolly, Bezier and Dobrick all are in the top 10 in the 200 freestyle.

Gamelier is ranked third in the 200 IM, 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke while Safritt is second in both the 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle.

"I didn't personally feel any added pressure coming into this season," said Safritt, a senior. "But it was a bit more exciting knowing people looked at us as one of the top teams."

The 200 medley relay team (Safritt, Connolly, Huffman and Gamelier) is undefeated through 11 meets, setting three new records at opponents' pools.

"The team is a big part of swimming," said Huffman, who also has qualified for the WPIAL meet in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley. "But it's also an individual sport. We push each other in practice and in meets so that everyone can swim their best."

Just like their male teammates, the members of the girls team know that to achieve glory, they must put in time when the stands are empty.

"Practice is a lot of hard work," said Gamelier. "But we all know that it will pay off in the end."

Seneca's next meet is Thursday at Fox Chapel.