Numbers don't always tell the whole story.

Take the Mars boys swimming team, for instance.

The squad had six swimmers competing at the Midwest Athletic Conference championships Feb. 19 at Moon High School.

The group managed to bring home a third-place finish behind first-place performances from Eric Crowley (diving), Jeff Gavin (200 freestyle), Dan Pierre (100 freestyle) and the 200 freestyle relay team of Dave Pierre, Phil Armstrong, Dan Pierre and Gavin.

The Planets, which also had Phil Karavlan and Nick Perri competing, finished in front of perennial powers West Allegheny, Blackhawk, Quaker Valley and Beaver.

"We're all very excited and proud of the boys," said Mars coach Gail Quigley. "Having just six swimmers and to place third, it was a great job on their part."

The performance was just another chapter in a historic season for the boys team, which has a total of 11 members, including WPIAL Class AA diving champion Crowley.

The Planets finished with a dual meet record of 11-7, the program's first-ever winning campaign.

"I'm not really surprised at the boys finish this season," said Quigley. "We've got some very fast kids to make up for the fact that we have just 10 (swimmers)."

It's a big step forward for a team that has no pool and, along with the girls team, practices at 5:30 a.m. weekdays at Pine-Richland High School.

"That right there says a lot about our kids, boys and girls," said Quigley. "I don't know of too many kids who would get up and be at a 5:30 a.m. practice. And a lot of times, they're not getting home until (9) at night."

The hard work translated into Mars sending five boys and four girls to the WPIAL Class AA swimming championships Thursday and Friday at the University of Pittsburgh's Trees Pool.

Senior Dan Pierre enters the action with a personal-best time in the 100 freestyle of 52.02 seconds. He will also swim the 100 breaststroke.

Gavin, a sophomore, will compete in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events.

"I think Jeff's got a very good shot at getting to the state meet in the 500," said Quigley.

"The 500 is my strongest event," said Gavin. "I'm a better distance swimmer and the 200 is more of a sprint event.

"To get to the state meet as a sophomore, that would really put me in a good position heading into my junior year," he added.

Gavin, Dave Pierre (50 freestyle, 100 breaststroke), Dan Pierre and Phil Karavlan (200 IM, 100 back) will join to swim the 200 medley relay. The group's best time this season is 1:49.71.

Junior Phil Armstrong will replace Karavlan in the quartet on the 200 freestyle relay team, another strong candidate to get to the state meet.

The Mars girls finished with a 5-13 record. Their lone swimmer scheduled to compete in an individual event at WPIALs is sophomore Claire Pacey in the 200 individual medley (2:27.77).

"Claire always sets a good example for the other girls," said Quigley. "She has a great work ethic."

Pacey will join teammates Chloe Pierre, Amber Saville-Andree and Jessica Nowicki in the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.