ROGERS — Expectations are high for the Rogers High girls swim team.

Lady Mounties coach Rob Bray is in his 11th season as coach, and he said this year’s team could be one of his best.

Rogers welcomes back several state qualifiers from last year’s squad and senior track and cross country star Maggie Montoya is swimming for the first time

“The girls are a little bit stronger than last year,” Bray said. “I’m expecting to be very competitive.”

Rogers’ top returnee is Megan Piotrowski. The junior qualified for the state meet as a freshman and a sophomore. Rogers has only participated in three meets, but Piotrowski has already qualified for state in the 100 backstroke.

“Megan is a highly competitive swimmer,” Bray said.

Montoya is the top distance runner in the state and recently began competing in triathlons. Bray said the senior looks like a veteran in the pool.

“It’s her first year to swim and she is working hard and is real competitive,” Bray said. “She is gaining in strides as we practice. She is going to be a triathlete some day. I told her if she was going to swim that she was going to have to be at every practice and meet.

“She has done everything that I have asked her to do. She is very coachable.”

Bray also said that Montoya has emerged as one of the team’s leaders.

“Maggie is a senior that has been in highly competitive situations before,” Bray said. “Hopefully, that will breed success for our younger swimmers.

The girls 400 free relay team of Lisa Lauschke, Shelby Hendricks, Piotrowski and Montoya has also already qualified for the state meet.

“Lauschke is a ninth grader that swims year-round,” Bray said.

Sophomore Kimi Davis also returns after qualifying for the state meet last season.

“Kimi plays volleyball, and she is a competitor too,” Bray said. “I’m really expecting her to help out. We are getting more and more two-sport athletes out. That is kind of neat.”

Mounties Matt Brown, Jacob Carroll and Brandon Lithalangsy all participated in the state meet last year.

“Those guys are competitive and they will help us in multiple events,” Bray said. “The boys team is a little bit down this year in numbers. That will hurt us in points, but I’m expecting us to compete real well. We have a lot of good, young swimmers. We just have to get on the same page as far as work habits and expectations.”