PICTURED ARE returning state qualifiers Jarrett Bolinger of Martins Ferry and Maggie Marody of St. Clairsville. Both are multiple-time OVAC champions and sectional champions as well. Marody advanced to swim in the ‘B’ final at the OHSAA State Championship meet in Canton as part of the 500 freestyle last season.

Area swimming continues to grow in popularity and talent.

Another season is under way with six area schools fielding teams and many of those boast returning OVAC placers and district qualifiers, which leads to optimism that the 2018-19 season, which actually began last Monday, will be one of the best yet for area teams.

While competing now, swimmers — and their coaches — have their sights set on the January and February portions of the schedule. The annual OVAC Swim Championship will be held once again at Brooke on Saturday, Jan. 19.

The sectional meet will be staged once again at Steubenville High School’s Natatorium on Saturday, Feb. 9 and those survivors will qualify to the district meet at Ohio State University in Columbus. The state meet will once again be staged at the Branin Natatorium in Canton.

Here’s a look at the teams in which their coaches returned information:

BARNESVILLE — Numbers are up in the Shamrocks program as head coach Bobbi Jo Johnson begins another season at the helm.

The Shamrocks boys, who have had just one swimmer for the last several seasons, have increased to five members, four of whom are freshmen, and will be able to swim relays, which is pleasing for Johnson.

The experienced Shamrock is senior Manny Vasquez. He will be joined by Jett Stephen, Owyn Wise, Ethan Spangenburg and Michael Gallagher.

On the girls’ side, seniors Mya McEndree, Kali Milhoan, Alee Wise, Abby Froehlich, junior Jacey Stephen, sophomores Alana Trigg, Abby Moore and Olivia Starr all garnered a letter last season and return for bigger roles.

Other returnees to the squad include senior Sarah McMillen, juniors Jaylin Pouerie, Kyla Morris, Ashlyn Gordon, Kelly Gallagher, sophomores Tori Froehlich, Kaleigh Finnical and Anna Wahlmeier.

The lone female newcomer is Jordyn Strous.

Graduation losses include district qualifier Samantha Drake, Krissanna Hanes, Joanna Gallagher, Ashton Austin, Megan Riley and Sarah Schutz.

One area of concern for Johnson is the fact that the Shamrocks didn’t get the pool time they usually get during the offseason by virtue of the work being done on the pool at Barnesville Memorial Park.

“We have hit the water hard and they seem to be handling it well. This year our goal is to get individual district qualifiers. We have been strong with the relays, but individually we can’t get over the hump. Maybe this is our year,” head coach Bobbi Jo Johnson said.

BRIDGEPORT — The Bulldogs re-invented their program for the first time since 1967. Coach Jennifer Fillipovich, who is also the school’s cross country coach, has three swimmers, all of whom are female, on the roster.

Leading the way is freshman Cheyenne Fillipovich, who will see time in the freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke and medley. Classmate Callie Cika is expected to be entered in the freestyle and backstroke. Sophomore Haley Ignacak rounds out the roster and will compete in the freestyle and backstroke.

“I am excited to bring the swim team to Bridgeport and excited for the girls and our school to grow in the sport,” Fillipovich said.

LINSLY — Regardless of the year, the Cadets always seem to shine in the pool. Long-time head coach Bill Brubaker, the man for whom the OVAC Championship is named, has a large, but “very young squad from the standpoint of experience.”

Brubaker’s Cadets feature 21 girls and 18 boys.

“We have a lot of new people who have not swum before,” Brubaker said. “We will be counting on our four returning seniors and captains to provide the leadership and be the role models for the new swimmers.”

The three senior girls with a letter to their credit are Natalia Cruz (freestyle), Eve Lei (backstroke, freestyle, IM) and Sasha Levy (backstroke, freestyle).

The junior class consists of Alex Behm (distance freestyle, IM), Brynleigh Buff (freestyle), Marta De Torres Borricon (freestyle, breaststroke), Erin McChesney (freestyle), Madison Nagel (distance freestyle), Kylie Pell (breaststroke, IM), Eve Ridenhour (freestyle, butterfly), Hunter Smith (freestyle), Tara Theaker (freestyle), Amanda Thomas (butterfly, breaststroke, freestyle).

The sophomores include Heidy Duran (IM, distance freestyle), Abolaji Oke (buterfly, freestyle) and Julie Zhu (breaststroke, freestyle). Freshmen on the roster are Emily Bench (freestyle, backstroke), Delaney Daniels (freestyle, backstroke), Joyce Jiang (freestyle), Leyla Khamsouckaly (freestyle), Emma Nodurft (freestyle, butterfly).

Of the roster, Lei, Buff, Ridenhour, Okie and Pell are all returning OVAC placers.

The girls team is trying to replace Sarah Brown, Soma Hannon, Sian Longley and Sydney West, who were lost to graduation.

On the boys’ side, the Cadets will be led by Juan Abad Tello (backstroke and IM) along with Skylar Camps (freestyle, butterfly).

The juniors are Nick Claus (freestyle, backstroke), Peter Kang (IM, breaststroke, backstroke), Joshua Schultz (distance freestyle, backstroke, IM), Bernie Suchoza (freestyle), William Yuan (freestyle, butterfly) and Luke Zwicker (butterfly, breaststroke, freestyle).

Sophomores looking to contribute are Luke Hillebrand (freestyle), Justin Jokovich (distance freestyle), Mason Li (freestyle, breaststroke), Shane McReady (backstroke, freestyle), Jack Weir (butterfly, freestyle), Jason Yang (breaststroke, freestyle, butterfly).

Freshmen expected to make an impact are Riley Camps (freestyle), Steven Liu (freestyle, breaststroke) and John Zhou (breaststroke, freestyle).

OVAC scorers from a season ago who return are Suchoza, Schultz, Yuan, Camps and King.

Graduation losses include Kalen Nuckles-Polen, Bruce Chen and Jason Robb.

Brubaker is being assisted by Jeff Hasis and Sue Hasis.

MARTINS FERRY — It’s quality over quantity once again for head coach Nick Levi and the Purple Riders.

The Purple Riders have just 10 girls and only six boys, but 14 of those are lettermen. The only two who aren’t are freshmen.

Fueling the Riders surge is junior standout Jarrett Bolinger, who is coming off a trip to the OHSAA State Championship Meet in the 100 breaststroke.

“Jarrett had one of the finest seasons in Martins Ferry boys swimming history last year,” Levi said. “He just missed being all-state and he’s already started this season with times close to his life-time bests. I expect another big season for Jarrett.”

Bolinger was the OVAC champion in both the 100 freestyle and breaststroke. He was second in the district in the breast and third in the free, earning all-district in both strokes.

Senior Ethan Beale is expected to be a big scorer for the Riders in the freestyle, fly and IM. He was a part of a 400 free relay which scored in the district last season.

Junior Ezra McNickle returns in search of his third letter. He was a part of the relay team which scored in the district last season, too. Also on the team was sophomore Tristen Blatt, who is back and will be entered in a variety of strokes, too.

Sophomores Kenton McCroskey and Wyatt Wodarczyk will provide depth in the freestyles, backstroke, breaststrokes.

“We have a lot of experience on this year’s team,” Levi said. “The kids have been working really hard and I am happy with how they’re improving each time they’re in the pool. I’ve watched or coached a lot of these kids in our summer program and it’s rewarding to see their progression.”

Graduation took a toll on the girls side as OVAC champion Rylee Reis and many-time OVAC scorer and district scorer Jamie Fogle are both gone. Also graduated are Mel Brink and Makenzie Reihner.

Seniors Kylie Huber (freestyle, backstroke) an all-district pick last season and placed third in the OVAC in the backstroke, leads the list of returnees. Two other seniors, Kiri Williams (freestyle, backstroke, fly) and Kylie Lucas, are all back and looking to contribute.

Junior Kayla Fogle is back after a strong sophomore season in which she earned all district honors on the 400 free relay and 200 medley relay. She was the OVAC runnerup in the 200IM and placed third in the 100 freestyle. Classmate Kayana Jones is back in the freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. Junior Skylar Watt was also an all-district performer and is back in the freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke.

Sophomores Kiara Kidder and Kayleygh Vargo are both versatile and can provide depth for the Riders.

Newcomers are freshmen Amy Brown and Haze McNickle.

“We have a nice core of eight returning letterwinners back,” Levi said of his girls’ team. “These girls have been a big part of our success in the past. I expect these kids to continue to improve and have another successful season. Our goals remain the same each year, for both the boys and girls. We want to advance as many people as to the district meet and beyond as we can.”

Levi is assisted by Susan Levi, Jim Fogle and Katie Kotson.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Red Devils had one of their most impressive seasons last winter. The boys and girls both claimed the OVAC and Buckeye 8 titles.

The St. Clairsville girls were impressive last season and Banks believes the pieces are in place for another memorable campaign.

“I expect us to continue to build and have another (strong) season,” Banks said. “This year’s team has a lot to live up to, following in the footsteps of last year’s team. We’re going to be young as we only have two seniors, but we’re talented.”

Leading the list of returnees for the Lady Red Devils is talented sophomore Maggie Marody, who is coming off a trip to the OHSAA State Meet in the 500 freestyle.

En route to the state meet, Marody was the OVAC champion in the 200 and 500 freestyles. She was also the Buckeye 8 and sectional champion, too.

Senior leaders are Katelynne Davenport (IM, breaststroke) and Caroline Smith (distance).

Other sophomores who should contribute are Ellie Thomas (distance freestyle, backstroke), Jenna Stewart (breaststroke), Johnna Sroka (freestyle), Taya Rocchi (freestyle) and junior Lyndsee Probst (breaststroke). Junior Lauren Reed returns after missing last season with an injury.

Sophomore newcomers to the program include Maddie Ruiz and Avonlea Analinger.

Seven freshmen are expected to contribute as well. The frosh group includes Kylie McKeegan (sprints, fly, back), Casadie Dibetta (sprints, IM, breaststroke), Olivia Moyer (distance, fly), Kelsey Smith (sprints), Ryleigh Conaway (sprints), Paige Koshenko (backstroke) and Brenna Planey (distance).

“I’ve known these (freshmen) girls for a number of years now and I have no doubt they will step in and flourish,” Banks said. “I expect a lot from them.”

St. Clairsville lost a solid collection of point scorers, however. Gone, to graduation, are Hannah Swisk, Marissa Cupp, Molly Marody, Emily Thomas and Natalie Planey.

“It will be rough to replace those girls, but we have some great returning talent,” Banks said.

The Red Devils’ boys were as impressive as the girls. They finished second at the sectional meet, too.

“It’s going to be tough to follow that team from last season,” Banks said.

Finding a way to replace the likes of Michael DiBetta, Zachary Banks, Mitchel Hoover, Luke Osborn and Kyle Graham will be the biggest challenge. All competed at the district meet last season.

Similarly to the girls, the Red Devils have a strong collection of newcomers, many of whom have a strong swimming foundation.

“Many of the freshmen have a background in swimming, but they’ll need to grow stronger in their core events as well as becoming more versatile all-around swimmers to have the success of last year’s group.”

Two seniors — Adam Balcar (fly, free) and Jeb Stewart (sprints, breaststroke) — are back.

Juniors Ethan Banks (IM, back, distance), Matthew Marling (freestyle) and Jonah Stock are back. Banks and Marling were district qualifiers last season.

The sophomores include Ryan Hoover (backstroke), Gavin Shields (IM, distance) and Nathan Lost (fly, back, distance). All three of those guys were district qualifiers.

Freshmen looking to contribute are Jack Gasber (breaststroke), Brendan Miller (breaststroke), Michael Taskalines, Michael Phillips and Michael Jarrett.

“We’re young and our kids with experience will have to step up and follow a seasoned group from last year,” Banks said.

UNION LOCAL — The Jets continue to build their program from the ground up under head coach Mary Kemp.

The Jets have six girls on the team, including four seniors who have been with the program since its inception.

The veterans include Hannah Kemp (breaststroke), Rebekah Large (freestyle), Madison McFarland (freestyle) and Emily Smolira (backstroke).

Newcomers to the program are Emma Sroka (butterfly) and Faith Galavich (freestyle).