WENATCHEE — In a league lacking depth, the Wenatchee boys swimming and diving team has a long list of freshmen waiting in the wings to fill the team’s various needs. Twelve of 26 members of the team are freshmen.

“It’s an interesting mix right now,” coach James Elwyn said.

The Panthers don’t return a single state qualifier, but have a few proven returners who could make an impact in the pool.

Senior Alex Baker is the team’s captain and a four-time letter winner and junior Tommy Higley is the team’s second captain.

“He’s been probably our best butterflyer and one of our best backstrokers and IMers,” Said Elwyn, who enters his ninth year as coach.

Aside from Higley and Baker, the Panthers will have to rely on the incoming freshmen class to tally points.

Notable swimmers/divers

Alex Baker, sr. (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle)

Tommy Higley, jr. (butterfly, backstroke, 200-yard individual medley)

Jared Vargas, fr. (100 backstroke, 200 individual medley, 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle)

Austin Boese, fr. (100 backstroke)

Jack Van Well, fr. (freestyle, backstroke)

League outlook

Although there are a handful of talented swimmers in the Big Nine this year, they are spread out enough to prevent any school from holding a monopoly.

Elwyn said Moses Lake is the early favorite to win the conference and expects Walla Walla and Richland to be tough competition, but added that the newly realigned conference is up for grabs.

“The rest of the leagues are a little bit thin,” he said. “There’s some good individuals, but the teams seem to be lacking in depth.”

Important dates

Wenatchee-Moses Lake duel, 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at Wenatchee

Wenatchee-Eastmont duel at Douglas County Pool, 4 p.m.

Districts, Feb. 1-2

State, Feb. 15-16