With the start of summer nearing, many area youngsters are taking to the pools as part of local swim teams. Here is a preview of three teams that compete in this area.

Piranhas hungry

The Waterloo Piranhas have always been a swimming powerhouse, but the last two seasons have not gone their way.

The Piranhas have won 11 conference titles since 2000, but the Trenton Torpedoes have owned the league the past two summers. Now the Torpedoes have shot off to the Midwest Conference, leaving Waterloo, Columbia, Greenville and Sparta Country Club to fight it out for the championship.

Waterloo will bring a strong group of 47 swimmers to the pool this summer, which is why head coach Bart Jones thinks this is the year his team can reclaim the conference crown.

“Our goals as a team are pretty simple,” he said. “We want to win our dual meets, and we want to win the conference championship at the end of the season.”

The Piranhas will be counting on their strong veteran leadership to carry them to a title. Andy Bennett, Kyle Wagner, Kennedy Moehrs, Gabby Schmitz, Miranda Foster and Connor Flack are among the most seasoned swimmers on the team and in the league. Jones said their experience is extremely valuable.

“They are such great role models for the younger kids,” he said. “They have great integrity and work ethic. All of them are much more mature than I was at their age.”

As much as Jones wants to win the championship, he is more focused on seeing each swimmer improve and gain confidence.

“In the course of one summer, a swimmer can see a noted improvement,” he said. “It’s awesome to watch them set goals and then reach them. That’s more important than winning.”

Waterloo opens its season at Sparta Country Club on June 18.

Hurricanes back in action

Jones will also be coaching the Columbia Hurricanes, who are back in the water after being unable to get a team together in 2013.

The rebuilding project has been slow so far, according to Jones. As of now, the team only has 25 swimmers, but Jones expects that number to increase significantly in the coming weeks.

“I think there’s just a little hesitation right now after not having a team last year,” he said. “But I think people will come around.”

Coaching two teams will be a big commitment for Jones, but the coach is thrilled at the opportunity to continue teaching the sport he loves.

“I’m excited to help both teams and to promote swimming in the area,” he said. “It’s great to see the kids learn and to be a part of that. That’s why I’ve always loved coaching swimming.”

Columbia will open the season in Greenville on June 18.

Hilltoppers climbing

In 2009, the Dupo Hilltoppers finished a distant sixth in the Midwest Conference. Just five years later, the Hilltoppers have established themselves as one of the league’s top contenders. Dupo has finished second in the conference each of the past two seasons — and the team is loaded again this year.

Head coach Salle Plunkett has built her team into a force to be reckoned with by focusing on fundamentals and having fun. This year will be no different.

“Our goal, as always, is to learn to swim better, improve our times, and enjoy the experience on the team,” she said.

The Hilltoppers have also become known throughout the league for their tremendous class and sportsmanship.

“Last year, our team was recognized over and over again for the fact that we respected every swimmer in the water whether they came in first or last,” Plunkett said. “I am very proud of being acknowledged for this type of behavior. We will continue to teach this for sure.”

Dupo began practicing only two weeks ago, but Plunkett has already seen enough to be excited for the season.

“Just since we started practice, I’ve already seen a huge amount of improvements in so many swimmers,” she said.

Plunkett also has the luxury of having several experienced older swimmers. Seniors Sophia Cygnarowicz, Evan Feeney and Nick Busch do not only earn points for their team, but they also act as unofficial coaches.

“They have contributed so many hours of hard work and have taught so many younger swimmers how to swim,” Plunkett said. “I will miss them all very much next year.”

The Hilltoppers had their first meet of the season on Tuesday in Freeburg. Results were not known at press time.