Down at the Waterloo Swimming natatorium, Coach Matthew McBrearty and the Warrior swim team are hard at work as early as 6:30 a.m., even before most people wake up.

The title-winning swim team has to keep the momentum going, as they are running off of the ninth consecutive boys’ first place district title, first place overall at districts, boys’ second place at regionals, and several individual boys who went to state. Coach McBrearty has been coaching this team for four years and running, and is always keeping the team in top form for the next season.

“I’m looking forward to everything, the team, and developing as a team, and pushing each other and enjoying it, and the kind of family bond that we all have, that the kids have,” McBrearty said. “I think more than anything though, I want to see this team reach its potential, and I think its potential is really high. With the attitude, the right attitude, I wanna see that come to fruition.”

But of course, success only feeds a hunger for more success. Coach McBrearty has many goals, not just about swimming, but about the team coming together as one.

“Overall, goal first and foremost, is for everyone on the team to walk away with something of value and for them to feel like they’ve gotten something out of it, and that they’ve each gotten faster as swimmers,” McBrearty said. “I think team goals, I’d like us to win district, I’d love our girls to win district, you know our guys would like to win their 10th straight, we’re going after that. You know, though its unofficial, we’d like to get the combined boys and girls.”

The team doesn’t just want to be successful at districts, but also at regionals, and even state. The girls’ team was one tie-breaker away from sending a relay team to state, but were beaten in a swim off. Now, they’re back to try to regain that state position.

“I also want to send a big group to regionals. I’d like my guys to make a run at winning regionals, we got second last year, and I think we can get first,” McBrearty said. “I wanna send a big contingent of guys and girls to state and I think I’d love to see a top-five finisher for our guys, and a top-10 finish from our girls.”

The new additions to the team, including eight new swimmers and one new diver, will add even more speed to an already successful team.

“I think they’re all gonna contribute, the thing is our team now is really deep, we don’t have a weak spot, but anyone that makes the team is good enough to contribute,” McBrearty said. “So you know, always some new ones that jump up and really find a way onto the districts roster and regionals so I think there’ll be a few that we know are pretty darn good.”

The Warrior swim team will have its first competition on Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Anderson Mill Pool & Pavillion at 2 p.m. against each other in the Orange vs. Black meet.