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RESERVE — This year’s swim team is the largest ever in the history of Riverside Academy, and with 21 returning swimmers and five experienced seniors prepared to lead the team, coach Christy Duhe is excited for the months to come.

Ten meets separate the Rebels from the LHSAA State Swimming Meet scheduled for November 16-19 at the Recreation and Aquatic Center in Sulphur. Riverside Academy placed in the top 8 for the first time during the 2021 state meet, and the goal for this year is to edge closer to the coveted first place finish.

“We have a couple of first-timers, but we have what is basically a veteran team. Most of our swimmers are coming back for their second, third or fourth year swimming at Riverside,” Duhe said.

The high school swim team includes eighth graders through seniors. Riverside also has a middle school program to expose fourth through seventh graders to competitive swimming.

High school seniors MaKayah Larose, Camryn Loving, Kallie Bourgeois, Anna Claire Mistretta and Lea St. Pierre are among the veterans on the team.

Larose, Loving, Bourgeois and Corrin Cashio have qualified for state in years’ past. According to Duhe, Riverside’s strongest events in recent seasons have been individual medley, freestyle and backstroke.

This year, the team is working more on techniques and gaining speed during early morning practice. Duhe is impressed by the commitment she has seen from each of the team members.

“It takes a lot of dedication and love for the sport because our practice are at 5:30 in the morning at Riverlands Country Club,” Duhe said.

The first meet of the season is scheduled for Saturday, September 10 at the St. James Aquatic Center in Lutcher.