ROGERS — Julie Sakalares believes the Rogers Heritage swim teams should both take steps forward this season.

Senior Colton Holland and junior Samuel Schaefer both return and should form a nice 1-2 punch for the War Eagles, while freshmen Carly Holland and Brooke Huston should help buoy the Lady War Eagles.

“We’ve got a good mix of old faces and new ones,” Sakalares said. “The girls should be much improved. The boys have moved up, but now I think they could be better.

“We’re starting off the year great and exciting to see what January and February will bring.”

The Lady War Eagles finished 17th at the state meet a year ago, while their male counterparts were sixth behind Holland and Schaefer.

Holland earned All-State honors by winning the 100-yard freestyle and taking third in the 50-yard free. Schaefer was fifth in the 50 free and 100-yard butterfly. The duo also led Heritage to top-five finishes in the 400 freestyle and 200 medley relays.

Colton Holland has confidence his team should be much improved thanks to their hard work.

“Our guys from last year have matured and grown,” Holland said. “Me and Samuel can help some people out. I think we’ve trained very hard and can be very good in our relays.”

Freshmen Ian Pusey and Harry Cole should also help the boys team, Sakalares said. Pusey notched a victory in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Swimming competitively at the high school level has been a fun experience for Carly Holland. She earned a victory in the 100-yard butterfly in her first high school meet a couple of weeks ago.

She may be swimming against older competition, but she still has confidence since Holland has been swimming competitively since age seven.

“It’s the same basically, but it’s so much fun being with my friends and coaches,” Holland said.

Sophomore Tina Nyguyen was the lone Lady War Eagle to qualify for state as an individual a year ago and didn’t place in the 50 freestyle. The team finished 17th.

Heritage could also get a lift from sophomore Bethany Craft, who moved from Bentonville, however she is slated to have shoulder surgery later this month and could be sidelined for the season.

The boys should break into the top five, while a top 10 finish isn’t out of the question for the Lady War Eagles, Sakalares said.

Karly Holland helped Heritage to a second-place finish in its first meet of the season a couple of weeks ago.

In addition, Heritage has already qualified four relay teams (two boys, two girls) for the state meet.

Rogers Heritage Swim Schedule

Date Opponent Time

Dec. 13 at Holiday Invitational# 3:30 p.m.

Jan. 10 at Bryant TBD

Jan. 14 at John Brown University 3:30 p.m.

Jan. 26 at Hendrix College TBD

Jan. 31 at Bentonville Invitational TBD

Feb. 7 at Har-Ber Invitaitonal# 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 12 7A-West Conference Meet# 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 22-23 State Meet at UALR TBD

"#" at Jones Center for Families, Springdale