The Salisbury boys and girls swimming teams figured to endure some learning curves this season.

For one, the boys' side graduated six seniors from last year's team that finished third in the state, leaving just seven swimmers on this squad. That number was cut to just four for Saturday's meet against Central Catholic. The girls, who have no seniors and just two juniors, are continuing to progress each time in the pool.

To top it off, the swimmers are adjusting to life with a new head coach at the helm.

"We are definitely in a building year," head coach Ken Vincent said. "The individual performances far exceed the team records, but you need numbers to make the team win. On the boys' side, we've actually had more first places than some of the other teams, and we still lose the meet. The third, fourth and fifth places decide the meet.

"Pretty much of the girls team, even though we do have more numbers, is made up of mostly freshmen."

While Saturday's losses to Central Catholic kept the boys winless and dropped the girls to 1-3, Vincent has seen plenty of improvement since day one. The girls came up short against the Vikings, 105-67, while the boys suffered a 126-45 loss.

One of the main focuses Vincent is looking at as 2014 ends is the swimmers' ability to participate in different events.

"As a smaller team, I need flexibility with each and every swimmer," Vincent said. "I actually asked the swimmers to swim events that they were not comfortable swimming. That is a very difficult thing for them to do. Our swimmers stepped up to that and did it.

"What we're looking to do is round out the team as the season goes on."

Four different girls took first place in individual events against the Vikings.

Brooke Rogers came in first in the 50-yard freestyle (28.87). Zoe Peckelun took first in the 100-yard freestyle (1:11.52). Rachel Costantini touched the wall first in the 200-yard freestyle in 2:20.82. Kaleigh Bobeck won the 100-yard breaststroke (1:21.02).

"Zoe is someone who is fairly new to serious competitive swimming," Vincent said. "One thing I look at is their progression, top times and things like that. Zoe has shown significant improvement. That's the type of swimmer that we need right now on a team that is building."

The girls' 200-yard freestyle relay team of Rogers, Costantini, Madeket Chassard and Taylar Velten also finished first in a time of 1:58.83.

On the boys' side, Mahlon Reihman came in first place in two events, the 100-yard backstroke (1:02.08) and 200-yard individual medley (2:07.63). A week prior, Reihman placed first in two events at the Bucknell Invitationa, the 200- and 500-yard freestyles, to place Salisbury fifth out of 35 teams.

"I know he has the capability," Vincent said. "I am impressed with his work ethic. I am impressed with his dedication. I am impressed with his consistency. Many times with swimmers, even swimmers that have a lot capability, you don't see consistency."

Denny Bonner scored a 299.85 in 1-meter diving against Central, good enough for a first-place finish among the four competitors. Tyler Keller (291.75) and Danny Bujcs (274.30) finished in second and third, respectively.

Salisbury travels to East Stroudsburg North on Saturday at noon.