The high school boys and girls swimming and diving season began two weeks ago at schools across the state.

West Valley Preps and the Surprise Independent asked local high school coaches about their teams.

Here are their responses:

Paradise Honors Panthers

Boys and Girls Coach: Kaleb Farnham (first year)
Section: Division III
Who are your top returning swimmers and divers?
• Boys: Mason Kearley, Connor Safsten
• Girls: Matteah Baldwin, Elena Padron, Emily Miley
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year?
• Boys: Eli Harada, Casen Slade, Brock Marty, Erik Nerdin (first diver at our school.)
• Girls: Liv Padron, Taryn Ritman
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? This year we are very tight-knit and enthusiastic. Everyone on the team lifts each other up, they all practice together, and we have a very strong bond amongst the team.
What are the primary individual and team goals? Team: Top 10 finish at state for guys and girls Division 3. Individual: Individually we want everyone to get their PRs throughout the season, have fun, and most individual school records should be broken this year.

Valley Vista Monsoon

Boys Coach: Sean Hewitt (fourth year)
Girls Coach: Christine Kearley (fourth year)
Section: Division I
Who are your top returning swimmers and divers?
• Girls: Our top girl swimmer is sophomore, Savannah Bell. Our top returning diver is junior, Kiersten Cole.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year?
• Girls: We have new diver, junior, Riley Newton who has a good chance at qualifying for state this year. Our new girl swimmers are young and dedicated. The standouts are freshmen, Avery Slade, Ella Lewis and Kora Hryb.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our best attribute is a positive attitude and desire to improve. We have a young team who work hard and are constantly asking for instruction on how to make their technique better.
What are the primary individual and team goals? My goal for our team this year is to see everyone improve their technique and drop time in all strokes by the end of the season. Another goal is for Savannah Bell to qualify for an individual event for state and for at least one of our girls relays to qualify for state.

Willow Canyon Wildcats

Boys and Girls Coach: Paul Bolme (second year)
Section: Division II
Who are your top returning swimmers and divers? Kate Roark, Ryley Clark, Athena Taran, Paige Pittasus and Katlyn Donnelly; all of whom placed at state last year.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Chase O’Brien and Tyler Mollica.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Small but very experienced
What are the primary individual and team goals? Hope to place top 10 at state and win a state event.