The boys’ swim team faces the advantages and challenges of a small team while also being the youngest team in St. Louis Park boys’ swimming history, according to head coach Amanda Forsberg.

Forsberg said the team consists of four upperclassmen and three sophomores, while freshmen and middle school swimmers make up the rest of the team.

With a recent win against Jefferson, the boys’ record stands at 1-0. Junior captain Nate Stone said he believes the win is in part due to the small team’s good communication.

“Because we’re a small team, it’s very easy to get to know each other. This makes communicating way easier and more natural,” Stone said.

Forsberg said the small team gives the coaches a chance to diversify the lineup.

“The small team gives swimmers an opportunity to swim four events and it gives me an opportunity to try them in a lot of different events. They’re not just swimming the 50 free every time,” Forsberg said.

Freshmen Henry Hein said he sees the addition of younger swimmers as a way to help give older swimmers more chances at varsity spots.

“I think the younger swimmers are contributing to the team by helping fill in the JV sections so then some of the JV swimmers last season can come swim in varsity this year,” Hein said.

Though a small team has many benefits, Forsberg said it also creates challenges.

“Because we are a smaller team, we are not as deep in any one event so we’re really looking for the newer swimmers and the younger swimmers to make bigger strides more quickly,” Forsberg said.

Stone said an obstacle the team faces in meets due to its small size is filling up the varsity lineup in larger pools where more spots are available.

“As long as you can fill up the varsity lineup, it works fine. In larger pools though, we have a bit of a disadvantage, but we’ve got a lot of speed, so we can often overcome it,” Stone said.

The team’s next meet takes place at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 against Chaska-Chan at St. Louis Park High School.

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