Forsyth Central
Head coach: Asheley Bell, fourth season.
Key returners: Amanda Cesario, Soph., butterfly and freestyle; Ashley Cesario, Sr., butterfly and freestyle; Tommy Eaton, Soph., butterfly and freestyle; Colin Millican, Jr., freestyle; Lachlan Yarbrough, Sr., diving.
Key newcomers: Nicholas Bohn, Fr., backstroke and IM; Katie Semler, Soph., backstroke; Mia Shaffer, Fr., breaststroke, freestyle and IM.
What to know: Both the Bulldogs’ teams finished in the 30s at the state meet last season – the girls in 31st, the boys in 34th. Ashley Cesario gives Central one of the top girls in the state. The Gardner Webb-committed senior had top 10 finishes at the state meet last season in the 100 butterfly (sixth) and 200 freestyle (ninth). Fourth-year head coach Asheley Bell is still looking for depth in freestyle distance events, but is encouraged by the team’s chemistry.
Lambert
Head coach: Kerry Langley, sixth season
Key returners: Caroline Aikins, Sr. backstroke and IM; Wyatt Dalton, Jr., backstroke and freestyle; Kelsey Dekshenieks, Sr., diving; Lleyton Smith, Soph., backstroke and butterfly; Lilia Smith, Sr., freestyle
Key newcomers: Sydney Lester, Fr.; Justin Ryu, Fr.
What to know: The Longhorns’ program again set the standard for county swimming last season, sweeping the county championships again and posting the best team finishes in Class 6-7A at the GHSA State Swimming & Diving Meet. The boys’ finished third for the second straight season, and should be a top-5 contender again. The girls finished second, which broke their streak of four straight state championships, but college-bound seniors Caroline Aikens (Georgia) and Lilia Smith (Arizona State) should have the Longhorns in the mix for a fifth state title.
North Forsyth
Head coach: Tyler Martin, first season.
Key returners: Daniel Brisuda, Sr., backstroke and freestyle; Hunter Galbraith, Jr., freestyle; Alex Gonzalez, Soph., backstroke and freestyle; Skylar Kadetz, Soph., freestyle; Taryn Mahoney, Jr., breaststroke and IM; Ainsley Triche, Jr., backstroke, breaststroke and IM.
Key newcomers: Hailey Galbraith, Fr., butterfly and freestyle; Will Riley, Fr., breaststroke and freestyle.
What to know: Former North assistant Tyler Martin takes over as head coach after long-time county swimming coach Kris Hunt stepped down. North’s boys are coming off a program-best sixth place finish at last season’s state meet. Much of that was thanks to Jack DalMolin, whose now at Arizona State. But DalMolin’s partners on the team’s 200 freestyle championship relay team return and are improved. Hailey Galbraith should be one of the top freshman in the state and help a girls team that finished 37th at state last season.
South Forsyth
Head coach: Corinna Spurlock, fourth season.
Key returners: Ali Brady, Jr., diving; Emilie Flynn, Soph., freestyle; Cooper Gilson, Sr., breaststroke and freestyle; John Ryan, Sr., butterfly and IM
Key newcomers: Jordan Edwards, Fr., breaststroke and IM; Devin Schmuckal, Fr., backstroke and freestyle; Mary Grey Shaginaw, Fr., butterfly and IM; CJ Woodruff, freestyle.
What to know: South’s girls are coming off a strong 11th-place finish at the state meet last season but have to replace three swimmers now competing in college. South’s boys finished 37th. Fourth-year head coach Corrina Spurlock is encouraged by the growth of the program to over 80 participants and by their work ethic. “We just need to get stronger and faster as the season progresses,” Spurlock said.
West Forsyth
Head coach: Michele Heindl, first season; Clayton Tillery, sixth season
Key returners: Kayla Gonanin, Soph.; backstroke; Nathan Kemnitz, Sr., breast stroke and freestyle; Jenna MacKay, Sr., backstroke and freestyle; Terry Phang, Jr., breaststroke; Sheridan Schreiber, Sr., breaststroke and butterfly;
Key newcomers: Jack Aikins, Fr., backstroke and IM; Izzy Gonanin, Fr., backstroke and freestyle; Brett Sasser, Fr., breast stroke and butterfly.
What to know: The Wolverines have one of the top headlining acts in the state in Arizona State-committed Sheridan Schreiber, a USA Swimming Scholastic and NISCA All-American who finished fourth in the 100 breaststroke and fifth in the 100 butterfly at the state meet last season to add to runner-up finishes in the 100 breast in 2016 and 2015. But West is looking to pull both the girls and boys programs up from 15th and 35th-place finishes, respectively, as last season’s state meet. That’s likely thanks to some key returners and an influx of freshmen talent.