“Poised to make some noise in the pool this year,” first-year coach Dana Powers is saying about the Sumner High boys swim and dive team.

Powers, who led the Spartan girls to a 10th-place showing at state in mid-November, has a few strong returners on her heat sheet.

Well-rounded junior Zane Gustafson is back and will likely compete in the 100-yard breaststroke and 200 individual medley, along with the 200 and 500 freestyle. He was a district-qualifier in the 500 freestyle and 200 IM last season and was part of the Spartans’ state 400 freestyle relay.

Senior Brandon Richison also returns to the water in the 100 butterfly and 200 IM. He was a member of Sumner’s district-qualifying 200 medley relay last season. Senior Joe Williams returns and will focus on making it to districts this year. Dave Campbell is another returning swimmer ready to make his mark at districts.

Trent Powers is expected to be one of the team’s stronger swimmers with his focus on the sprints and 100 butterfly. Coach Powers said he should make state qualifying times and is concentrating on making the top eight in his events. Rounding out the returning corps is Connor Powers-Hubbard, a sophomore who was part of the state 400 freestyle relay. He is also expected to make a mark in the 100 breaststroke and the 50, 100 or 200 freestyle. He, too, is poised for a place in the state’s top eight.

In diving, Evan Quaschinik is back and focused on posting state scores this season. Quaschinik, a junior, will be competing with newcomers Cody Brennan, Curtis Downing and Cory Mullender.

Coach Powers said there are a number of fresh faces to the program like Josh Goodsell, Severn Anderson, Tanner Harrison, Forest Bauer, Michael Ulmer, Fernando Sanchez, Samuel Rigsby, Pietro Pittella, Ryan Rozsonits, Samuel Parks and Sheyel Breckenridge, all who will play a role for the Spartans.

The season kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Auburn Mountainview.