The Sumner High School boys swim and dive team is entering the winter season with two overriding missions: qualify as many individual swimmers as possible to the state meet and keep improving on each athlete’s best times.

“We have a quality group of young men and I expect great things from them this year,” coach Dana Powers said.

Senior captain Connor Powers-Hubbard placed sixth in the 200-yard freestyle and 100 breaststroke at last season’s state meet with times of 1 minute, 47.35 seconds and 1:01.02, respectively. His 200-yard freestyle time set a school record. His focus will be to return to state competition in both categories, coach Powers said.

Junior Captains Severn Anderson and Sam Rigsby (one-third of the 2011 state sixth-placing 200 freestyle relay team) will take the place of graduated swimmers Zane Gustafson and Trent Powers.

“They have big shoes to fill,” Powers said. “However, they are working hard and have the best attitude to get it done.”

Bryce Connigan is a promising newcomer to diving competition, Powers said. He joins David Kakuk and Austin Page.

State diver Evan Quaschnik also graduated in 2011