The Liberty Hurricanes are counting on the versatility of their swimmers and some returning district qualifiers to jump start their swimming and diving season this week.

The Hurricanes are approximately 35 strong, featuring Malcolm Collins, David Gabrielle, Wade Wu, and Zivon DeLosSantos for the boys team, and Chelsea Hearn, Audrey Bloss-Ferry, Lilah McClarin, Katie Bruno, Sophia O’Hara, Leah Onia, Amelia Paxton, and Makenna Rutkowski for the girls team.

“As with many other teams in the area following the pandemic, roster numbers have been lower than normal, but this and future freshman classes look to reinvigorate our swimming rosters,” said Liberty assistant coach Evan Kocon. “As we progress through the season, our team will need to utilize its versatility to win meets as we compete in the annually tough Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.”

The Hurricanes’ conference opener was Dec. 5 at Easton, past Press deadlines.

“We have many district qualifiers returning that are looking to improve from where they finished last year,” Kocon said. “We will challenge teams by using our athletes’ versatility in events to create competitive lineups against our opponents.”

Also returning for the Hurricanes are assistant coach Jeff Matyus and diving coach Emily Kocis.

Shannon Hogan, a former Hurricane swimmer and current teacher in the Lehigh Valley, is a new addition to the staff under head coach Reik Foust.

“We are looking forward to continuing the tradition of excellence that Liberty Swimming is proud to uphold each year,” Kocon said. “We have a lot of returning talent, and we are looking to fill gaps with younger returning and freshman swimmers to support our upperclassmen.”