Jason Mohring couldn't have walked into a better position to begin his swimming head coaching career.

Mohring, a 2005 graduate of Salisbury High School, takes over the boys and girls swimming teams that had plenty of success a year ago, particularly the boys side.

The boys team put together one of the best campaigns in school history last season, winning both the District 11 Class AA and PIAA Class AA championships. And despite losing a number of key seniors from those championship teams, Mohring and the Falcons have their sights set high going into 2014.

"With the boys coming off their state championship last year, a lot of them have that drive and desire to do something pretty special this year," Mohring said. "I think we have the potential to do that."

Eric Tatum, a district champion in the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly, as well as a second-place finisher in the 100-yard butterfly and third-place finisher in the 100-yard freestyle at states, is the biggest loss from last year.

Connor Harrison, Garrett Collins and Dylan Bonge also graduated.

"They still want to do something special," Mohring said. "They truly want to have another go at it."

Despite losing many key pieces from last season's title team, the Falcons will be under the guidance of six seniors in 2014.

One senior that figures to take upon a much larger role is Ian Carey. Carey, who finished sixth in the 500-yard freestyle and eighth in the 100 -yard breaststroke at districts, has helped Mohring get accustomed to the team thus far.

"For the seniors, Jon [Anderson] and Ian [Carey] have really stepped up, and have really been working hard in practice," Mohring said. "Ian has really been helpful from my end of things, and talking with some of the guys. As has Jon, he's taking some of the freshman under his wings.

"He [Carey] has really taken more of a leadership role. When I didn't know a lot of the kids, he really helped me get in contact with them."

Other returning swimmers from last year include senior Tim Constanti, who placed first in the 200-yard individual medley and third in the 500-yard freestyle at districts last year; senior Jon Anderson, who was fourth in the 200-yard freestyle at districts; and Tyler Lesko, who placed sixth in the 100-yard butterfly at districts. Those three will prove to be beneficial to the rest of the team, as they endured much success during last season's run.

Mohring is also excited for the divers, including junior Dennis Bonner (second in districts), sophomore Daniel Bujcs (third in districts), and freshman Tyler Keller, to have another big impact on the team this season.

"The divers were a huge asset for them last year," Mohring said. "And hopefully again this year they'll be a big asset to the team as well."

Freshmen Arthur Oliver and Mahlon Reihman have also impressed Mohring in the early stages of the season.

For the girls' team, the Falcons will have to move forward without their top swimmer from a year ago in Danielle Guttman. At districts, Guttman placed fourth in the 400-yard freestyle, fifth in the 200-yard freestyle, and was a part of two relay teams that finished in the top four.

Despite that loss, Mohring expects a number of key returnees to lead the way, particularly Alyssa Sipos (the only senior), and sophomores Kaleigh Bobeck and Rachel Constantini.

"Along with Alyssa [Sipos], we also have the two sophomore girls that I'm looking to help guide the freshman," Mohring said. "They'll be swimming with each other hopefully for another two years after this."

Sipos (eighth in the 200 freestyle at districts), Bobeck (14th in the 100 breaststroke at districts), and Constantini (22nd in the 50 freestyle at districts) were all parts of the Falcon girls' team last year that placed fifth in the District 11 Class AA meet.

"I know a lot of the girls want to go to districts," Mohring said. "That's a huge goal for them. With the way things are going, I don't see why, if they believe in the program and believe in what they can do, they should be able to go to districts and swim on a larger stage."

Despite five of the eight swimmers being freshman, Mohring is pleased early on with the motivation and dedication they've shown in the pool.

"We have a lot of freshman on the girls side," Mohring said. "That'll be great for some growth in the future."