Morrison has nine boy letterwinners and eight for the girls, but believes that her team is a tale of two squads.

The Bisons have state placewinner Shay Flanagan back for his senior season and several others that have also punched their ticket to the state meet,  while the Lady Bisons lack the overall experience of their counterparts.

"It's a tale of two teams. They're just two different teams, dynamic-wise. (The boys) definitely have a lot of potential," said Morrison. "I'm not going to say we're going to be the champions or anything like that, but I think we're going to have a good year.

"We are senior-laden team. These are definitely quality senior swimmers. They're fast senior swimmers. My only concern is complacency - acting like they own it; they don't. If another team works and we don't, we're going to get knocked off."

Joining Flanagan on the list of returnees are classmates Justin DeCasper, Mark Krchnak and Brady Mulhollem, junior Kraig Peterson, and sophomores Connor Shirey and Jordan Mumma.

Senior diver Steven Williams, a two-time state qualifier, and junior Justin Maines head the list of divers for Morrison's squad.

Despite claiming a medal last season, Morrison expects some bigger and better things from Flanagan in his final season.

"I want Shay to turn it up," Morrison said. "We might have had a best time, but we didn't have a huge best-time drop. He still hasn't reached the 100-free time he swam at regionals as a sophomore ... He's a great swimmer, though, and you can't really complain about winning a medal, but he isn't where he wanted to be. He's just hungry and ready to roll his final year. It's do-or-die and you don't have another year to look forward to."

While Flanagan was the only one to bring home a state medal, Krchnak was also close and, Morrison says, that is a motivating factor as the season gets under way.

Krchnak posted an impressive time at the state meet, but just came up short of the podium.

"He's reminds me a lot of (state champion) John Lytle," said Morrison of Krchnak. "(Lytle) didn't have the physical tools as a freshman or sophomore, and then, boom. They both kind of hit it at the same time of their careers. (Krchnak) has got the right vehicle, now he just has to drive it. He wants it. He got a taste of it. He doesn't have a medal around his neck. He's not complacent."

Morrison believes the girls team, on the other hand, will struggle with the lack of experience and the loss of state qualifiers Carolyn Shurer and Shellbie King.

Senior letterwinners Marisa Howell and Branda Smeltzer provide Morrison with a base to start on, while junior Brandie Centi and sophomores Kaylee Bowser and Ashley Durandetta will also be relied upon to make an impact.

"Our strength for our girls are our seniors, definitely," said Morrison of the girls team. "Marisa and Branda both are, to me, great senior leaders. We don't have the numbers that the boys have, as far as experience.

"I'm hoping they surprise me, but I'm a little bit concerned I must admit. Some people are going to have to step up, and they're going to have to be mentally tough."

Like the boys diving team, the girls also return a state qualifier in senior letterwinner Christie Pizzella. Pizzella and sophomore Katie Guth will be the main female divers, while freshman Sarah Lowder could have a breakout season as well.

On the flip side, Morrison believes the boys will also get a boost from sophomore Elliott Lauder and freshman Garrett Lauder.

Morrison also mentioned that freshmen Alex Fisher and Clairisse Peterson could also make a splash this season, while some other newcomers, such as freshman Juliana Mellgard, could make an impact down the road.

Despite the lofty expectations for her team, Morrison points to the record boards hanging on the natatorium wall as motivation.

"We only have two kids up on the record board and that doesn't really say a whole lot," Morrison said. "What have you really done? Or is it the other areas of the regions have been weak for awhile? What if they get stronger and equal what you have? If you're not doing much in the water, you're not going to get too much.

"All kinds of things can happen that have nothing to do with your talent - we could DQ a relay - and I think that's what the boys need to understand. Things happen and it could cost you a championship, even if you are the best."

Clearfield opens the season Saturday when it hosts the Clearfield Invite, which is slated to begin at 10 a.m.

Roster

Boys

Seniors

Corey Bookhamer, *Justin DeCasper, *Shay Flanagan, *Mark Krchnak, Issac Lansberry, *Brady Mulhollem, *Steven Williams.

Juniors

Joe Brolin, Nathan Brzezinski, *Jason Maines, *Kraig Peterson, Ryan Renaud.

Sophomores

Caleb Baas, Elliott Lauder, *Jordan Mumma, *Connor Shirey, Andrew Smith.

Freshmen

Alex Fisher, Garrett Lauder, Jesse Neyman, Jacob Rollin, Jeff Stiles, John Suhoney, Travis Swoope.

Girls

Seniors

Skylar DeHaven, Brittany Evans, *Marisa Howell, *Jenna Liegey, *Christie Pizzella, *Branda Smeltzer.

Juniors

*Brandie Centi, Laura Lumadue.

Sophomores

*Kaylee Bowser, Candise Day, *Ashley Durandetta, *Katie Guth, Tori Hallstrom, Ashley Hoover, Heather Krouse.

Freshmen

Sarah Lowder, Tori McAllister, Juliana Mellgard, Amanda Peoples, Clairisse Peterson, Rashel Wynick.

*Denotes returning letterwinners.

Schedule

December

13-Clearfield Invite, 10 a.m.; 15-at Altoona, 6:30 p.m.; 20-at Kinney Natatorium Open, Bucknell University, 11 a.m.

January

6-at State College; 10-at State College Diving Invitational, 10 a.m.; 10-Arctic Swim Classic, 11 a.m.; 12-DuBois; 15-at Brookville; 19-St. Marys; 23-Bradford; 26-Bellefonte.

February

2-at DuBois; 5-Brookville; 9-at St. Marys; 13-at Bradford, 4 p.m.; 19-District 9 League Diving, TBA; 20-District 9 League  Swimming, TBA; 28-at District 6-9 Regional Meet, Penn State University, TBA.

March

10-13-at State Meet, Bucknell University, TBA.

All meets begin at 6 p.m. unless noted.