The Park Hill girls swim team will be taking on a new look this winter compared to last, graduating much of the team that made an appearance at state last February.

“We graduated a large chunk of our experience last year,” Park Hill head coach Karl Haley said. “This year, we are young and inexperienced. We will focus on individual improvement and achievements as the year progresses.”

Park Hill has made a team appearance at the Class 2 state meet each of the last two years. While experience on the team has dropped off, the Trojans still have some veteran leadership and return several key performers from last year’s team that finished 15th of 33 teams in the Class 2 state championships.

“Senior Kaitlyn Werner is our most experienced returning swimmer,” Haley said. “She has been a member of our state team the past few years and we will lean on her to help provide some leadership with our young team.”

Werner brings back critical experience, having competed at state in relays the previous two years. In 2023, Werner helped three Trojan relays to the state meet, anchoring the 200-yard medley and 400 freestyle. Last year, Werner was the lone veteran in the Trojans’ 200 freestyle that finished in 1:49.96, which now returns with the sophomore trio of Harmony Lucas, Ava Knepper and Brynn Wilkens.

Wilkens was a freshman standout last year, anchoring a Trojan 200 medley relay that finished 13th at state in 1:55.62, in addition to anchoring Park Hill’s 200 freestyle that finished 22nd at state.

In diving, Zoe Lyons returns after qualifying for state as a freshman last year. Lyons scored 160 in the championship meet last year to finish 15th of 32 divers, the best finish among freshmen.

Coming off a third-place conference finish last year, Park Hill is focused more on individual improvement to define success.

Park Hill is looking forward to the Ozarks Invitational on Jan. 10.