Swim team dives into season WRHS swimmers ready to race.

Byline: Jay Gearan

HOLDEN - Just how do some key members of the Wachusett Regional High School swim team feel about this winter season?

Listen to some of the seniors on the team.

"I'm really excited. It's my senior year, and we hope we'll have a good year," said Katie Hughes.

"I think we'll do great with all the new swimmers we have," added Abby Ebbrecht, followed by Kayla DeSanty, who said, "I'm really excited about the season because our team is like a family. We swim well together, and we have fun together."

Lea Robichaud chipped in: "I'm excited to have an awesome season for my senior year."

And finally, Matt Dodge said, "It's a good time."

The Mountaineers dove into this year's schedule, with very good times, churning the waters in fine form in the opening meet. They defeated Shrewsbury last week at the Worcester Jewish Community Center, 101-69, with both the boys' and girls' 200 medley relay teams qualifying for the state meet.

DeSanty, Ebbrecht and Dodge are the senior captains.

"They've all been with the team for four years," said coach Jochen Welsch. "They're an excellent crew of captains."

Welsch's assistant coach is Kathy Spodick.

Last year the Mountaineers placed fourth in the Mid-Wach League, won six overall dual meets and did well at the state meet paced by Brianna Sullivan, now a sophomore.

Welsch is pleased with the interest in Wachusett swimming. On his co-ed team, he has 33 members.

"We have a nice incoming freshman class of swimmers with some solid swimmers," Welsch said. "And we also have a diver, freshman Nate Alsdorf, for the first time in several years."

Wachusett's season began with a marathon swim for charity, an annual event with other area teams organized by Welsch to benefit the Worcester County Food Bank and Oxfam America.

"Each swimmer gets pledges and swims two miles," Welsch said.

In eight years, the swimathon has raised more than $25,000.

Now that the regular season has begun, Welsch anticipates tough competition from league opponents Gardner, Algonquin, Bromfield and Westboro.

On the wall at the Worcester Jewish Community Center Pool is a smart new team banner, designed by junior team member Maddie Welsch.

Other seniors on the...