MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Central Mountain’s Camryn Bair holds five individual school records and two relay records and may break even more her senior year. She is a returning two-event state qualifier.

It seemed like every swim meet, dual or invitational, Central Mountain’s Camryn Bair was breaking records and setting PRs. The now-senior was unbelievable in the pool, making winning look easy every dual.

It’s not at all surprising to know Bair dominated last winter, but it’s quite remarkable to put it into perspective. Bair either set or re-broke her own school record last year in the 50 free, 100 free, 100 breast, 100 back, 200 IM and the 200 free and 400 free relays.

For Central Mountain, having a swimmer of her caliber back is great news. For teams Central Mountain faces, it’s bad news.

“Camryn hasn’t really taken much of a break from swimming since March. She has been training with her club team. She has looked really strong at some early meets already this season,” Central Mountain coach Scott Bair said. “I look for her to swim a lot of different events this season than the typical 50 free, 100 free and 100 breaststroke. The way she is swimming in practice and at early season meets, I would not be surprised if she broke some more CM records this season.”

Bair isn’t the only state qualifier back for the Wildcats, either. Central Mountain brings back Jonathan Hughes, who reached states in the 100 breast. Hughes won the District 6 title to make the trip to Bucknell and finished 31st in the preliminaries with a time of 1:00.59, just missing out on besting his district-winning time of 59.55.

But that trip to the state meet will be beneficial for Hughes as he looks to not only get back to Bucknell, but improve his time as well and hopefully PR again as he enters his senior season.

“Jonathan took some time off after the swim season last year, but is looking strong so far this season,” Bair said. “I look for him to continue to progress throughout the season and be at the top of his game at the district championships.”

In total, the Wildcats bring back 10 additional swimmers who qualified for districts between the boys and girls and have a strong team with 30 total swimmers competing (16 girls, 14 boys). Of those 30, just two are new to the sport, giving the team a lot of experience.

“I have high expectations for this group. I feel both teams could challenge for the top spot in the PHAC if they continue to grow as the year progresses,” Bair said. “I expect our upperclassmen to serve as good role models to our 10 freshmen in and out of the water.”

Rhys Swift, Raiden Newcomer, Bryce Warren, Owen Wunder, Cory Matejovich, Neil Kaluzny, Gabriella Hosley, Maia Crowell, Lilly McWilliams and Abrianna Hosley all qualified and competed at districts last winter. Having that many back who competed at districts and did well is beneficial for the program, and something Bair is glad to have on his roster.

“It is awesome to have so many returning swimmers with districts experience. I expect that we will add to that number this year and continue to get better,” Bair said.

The Central Mountain coach also noted a handful of younger swimmers he sees stepping up this year, including freshmen Erin Packer and Sloane Coakley.

“Erin Packer is a freshman with a lot of versatility and swim experience. She works hard in the pool and I am excited to see what she can do during her first high school swim season,” Bair said. “Sloane Coakley is another freshman who is a great addition to our team. She brings incredible energy to practices and works hard at every practice.”

Central Mountain has three boy swimmers who are new and two who are returning to the sport after a brief hiatus. Among them include Che McAllister, who Bair noted has a solid freestyle and can also swim the 100.

Coach: Scott Bair

Assistants: (not available)

Returning state qualifiers: Camryn Bair (50 free, 100 breast), Jonathan Hughes (100 breast).

Returning boys district qualifiers: Rhys Swift (200 IM, 500 free); Raiden Newcomer (50 free, 100 free); Bryce Warren (50 free); Owen Wunder (50 free, 100 back); Jonathan Hughes (100 fly); Cory Matejovich (100 fly, 100 free); Neil Kaluzny (100 free, 100 back).

Returning girls district qualifiers: Gabriella Hosley (200 IM, 100 breast); Maia Crowell (50 free); Lily McWilliams (100 fly, 100 free); Abrianna Hosley (500 free, 100 back);

Roster: (not available)