Class A

Dual meets have been a strength for Edward Little and Lewiston in recent seasons. For 2011-12 season, both are hoping to make bigger splashes in the conference and state meets.

The Edward Little girls boast a veteran, big-meet tested squad led by Melissa Paione, the New England champion in the 100 yard breaststroke. Samantha Goulette, Gabby LaPerriere, Hayley Barton, Rachel Gagne and freshman Olivia Paione will give the Red Eddies a lot of balance they will need to challenge Messalonskee and Cony in the KVAC. Lewiston has a smaller, less experienced group with one returning state qualifier, Jessica Soucy. But new coach Dustin Carrier is excited about the potential. Bangor, Massabesic and Cape Elizabeth rank among the state favorites.

The Lewiston boys have hopes of improving upon last year’s fourth-place showing at KVACs and could do it with a strong stable of letterwinners led by Peter Tirabassi, Ian Roy, Matt Poto, Jake Soucy and Dustin Morris. Edward Little doesn’t have the numbers to try to press Brunswick, Messalonskee, Morse and Lewiston. But a solid junior class led by Andrew Paione should make sure the Red Eddies aren’t shut out at states, where Bangor, Cheverus, Windham and Messalonskee are expected to vie for the title.

Class B

In five years as a varsity program, St. Dom’s has churned out some outstanding individual talent. While they still lack the numbers to compete with the likes of Greely, Mount Desert Island and Waynflete at the state level, and graduated state champion Allie Lewandowski, the Saints still have a lot of swimmers already meeting state cut times and swimmers with state meet experience, including Sarah Small, Emily Conner and Ciara Ferguson.

Belfast, Ellsworth, Greely and MDI will battle for the boys’ team title. St. Dom’s should have a strong presence at states led by seniors Ryan Robitaille, Jake Nowinski and Ian Clavette.

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