Unable to reach the ultimate goal of an undefeated season, the swim and dive team still hopes for a season as successful as its last.

The Bulldogs strive for a second consecutive win at the Metropolitan Swimming and Diving championship, but some doubt the possibility of repeated wins.

“We are going to stay positive and keep working hard no matter what,” senior girls diving captain Alex Stanton said. “Even if we lose some meets, we will keep aiming for our goal of winning metros a second year in a row.”

Though senior captains Chris Verboncoeur and Stanton were absent in the first regular season meet Dec. 12, the Bulldogs beat rival Whitman in the combined score. Unfortunately the girls could not pull out with a win, losing 94-77. Junior Michael Pratt placed first in the 200 yard individual medley relay, helping the boys demolish Whitman 128-43.

“The girls raced well and fought hard for the win, and although the Whitman girls won this time, we look forward to swimming against them later in the season,” senior captain Jenny Erickson said. “We are an amazing, talented team. The boys should be solid throughout the season and the girls will continue to grow.”

 Both the boys and girls crushed Einstein Dec. 5 at their last scrimmage of the preseason. Senior Daisy Hand helped the girls continue to dominate against Einstein 119-37 as she won her first race in her career as a Bulldog. The boys also had a booming meet winning 121-35.

 For their first preseason meet, the girls faced Holy Cross as the boys faced Montgomery County powerhouse Georgetown Prep Nov. 24. The girls beat Holy Child 115-71, while Prep unfortunately triumphed and beat the boys 112-74.

 According to sophomore Timothy Fearber, Prep will be both a competitor and an obstacle for the Bulldogs when it comes time for Metros.

 The Bulldogs faced archrival Wootton Dec. 19 and hoped to come out strong with the help of unity and their All-Met athletes.

 “For the girls we have several potential All-Met athletes and for the boys we have our incredible depth,” coach Rodney Van Tassell said. “I would like to see us become more united as a team and have more team spirit. It is difficult in swimming and diving which are very individualistic, but so many times meets are won and lost by fractions of seconds and it is here where spirit can often propel a team to victory.”