The Lake Washington girls swim team lost to Inglemoor 117-67 on Friday. But the loss is not indicative of the team’s drive to win despite not having the depth of some 4A squads.

“We have two major strengths on the team this year,” said assistant coach Michelle McRae. “One is a lot of summer league swim team experience. We are building on that swim knowledge by adding more endurance training and refining technique.”

The biggest difference in high school swimming between finishing 3-6, as the Kangs did in 2008, and finishing at the top of the league is often how much access athletes have to practice during the off season. But working hard for head coach John van Velthuyzen during the regular season is not a problem for this squad.

“The second strength is the character of the girls themselves,” said McRae. “We have a really nice group, which is allowing them to work well together as a united team quite quickly.”

The team aspect of high school swimming can sometimes get lost in the individual events and medal ceremonies. But the support of peers can sometimes make the difference for a team.

“We have top team goals of having a fun season, giving positive support to all team members, and giving our all, all of the time,” said McRae.

Julia Reisner, a senior captain, swam at state last year and will take on many of the leadership duties for the 2009 season. Senior Anna Steiner was one of the most successful athletes last season, finishing second in the state diving competition and will lend experience during meets. Another athlete looked to for leadership will be Sally LaFramboise, a senior captain and district qualifier in 2008. Junior Janell Morley was a district qualifier and sophomore Alexa LeMaster is known as a “steady and reliable swimmer,” which can bring the team points during every meet.

The hope for the future of Lake Washington swimming starts with freshman Laura Chopp, who is “bringing great swimming skills and experience to the team.”

The most glaring weakness for the team is not talent or drive but depth.

“Our main weakness is a shortage of year round swimming experience,” said McRae. “We will overcome this by giving the girls the best training we can and trying to get them really excited about swimming so more decide to continue their training year round.”

During the meet against the Vikings, the Kangs took first in just three events, as Inglemoor’s depth proved to be the difference in the final score.

Reisner touched the wall first during the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25:34.

In diving, Steiner picked up where she left off last season by placing first with a point total of 243.85. The win kept the score relatively close to start the meet but the Vikings would win seven of the next eight events.

The Kangs’ 200-yard freestyle relay team took the only other first-place spot for Lake Washington, as LaFramboise, Chopp, LeMaster and Reisner raced to a time of 1:51.76.