By the time the waters had calmed last November, the Sumner girls swim and dive team’s remained afloat with a third place trophy and two school records. It was the second year in a row the team had taken third place at the King County Aquatic Center, and the third year in a row the team had taken a top 10 spot.

Coach Dana Powers has always been a cheerleader of the strong swimmers on her team, and the return of some of her strongest has given her no reason to hesitate.

Madison Munger, the wunderkind athlete who achieved “Iron Man” status her freshman year and had a hand in two school records her sophomore year, will return as junior team captain. She won the 200-yard freestyle race last postseason, and was part of the two-time state champion 200 Freestyle Relay team.

“She is healthy and expected to ironman (again) this season,” Powers said. The Iron Man is an honor reserved for varsity swimmers who qualify for state in every individual event in one season.

Ashley Huynh, another member of last year’s record-setting relay team, is returning for her fourth season with the Spartans. She will fulfill the role of team captain in the 2012 season.

“She looks very strong and will be competing in the 200 (individual medley) and 100 breaststroke,” Powers said. “I expect her to get the school record in the 100 breaststroke this season.”

Kallan Gustafson, another four-year veteran, was cited as integral to the team’s relay competitions in the upcoming year, as well as efforts to return to a Top Five spot in state.  She’s expected to final in the 200 and 500 freestyle races this year, Powers said.

Alicia Ditty, the third returning member of last year’s record relay team, is expected to “crush” her 100 backstroke time.

“Last year, Alicia turned out her best times to return to finals in the 100 backstroke,” Powers said. “She was also part of our 200 medley relay, as well as the 400 free relay.”

Further returning swimmers Powers said to watch were seniors Makenna Roberts and Ashleigh Johnson, and junior Kristen Easterly.

Newcomers to watch are Illiana Kaiser, Petria Russell, and Brittany Tuffs.

The Spartans will swim against Eatonville on the Cruisers’ home turf Sept. 13.