MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Ashlynn Barlett competes during last year’s District 4 swimming championships.

Last winter, Hughesville coach Erik Barlett saw his swimmers have success overall. There were a handful of podium trips last year and Barlett is hoping that success continues again into this year.

And thankfully for the Spartans, a trio of district qualifiers return to the pool in Ashlynn Barlett, Luke Siperko and Evelynn Meckbach.

“My expectations for this year are for all my swimmers to best last year’s PR times and for all of them to qualify for districts,” coach Barlett said.

Siperko is a two-time district qualifier who coach Barlett noted has a “can do” attitude and “always shows up ready to compete.”

Siperko was a tenth-place finisher last winter in the 100 fly with a time of 1:06.69. In the 100 breast, he took 11th by swimming a time of 1:15.77. Meckbach was a 12th-place finisher in the 100 back in 1:16.00.

Meckbach swam last winter in the 50 free and finished 21st with a time of 30.07

Ashlynn Barlett is also a two-time district qualifier and was a district medal winner as well.

“I will be leaning on her to provide leadership and motivation for the up-and-coming swimmers,” coach Barlett said. “Ashlynn brings a no-nonsense work ethic and comes to practice ready to swim. She is very competitive and helps keep the motivation and moral up for the other swimmers.”

Barlett had Hughesville’s highest finish last year by taking home a bronze medal in the 100 breast at districts with a time of 1:12.82. She was roughly a second behind champion Tessa Ross of Danville (1:11.26) and Lewisburg’s Jillie Donner, a silver-medalist in 1:11.82.

In the 100 fly, Barlett took ninth after clocking a time of 1:10.45, just 0.21 seconds behind eighth-place finisher Olivia Solomon of Midd-West.

The rest of Hughesville’s roster consists of Sophie Yoder and Sydney Siperko. Both have experience as Yoder swam for several clubs including Tri-Town, Loyalsock, WASC and EELs. She also swam for the Spartans the last four years and is looking forward to qualifying for districts.

Sydney Siperko has experience in the pool as well as a freshman. She swam for local YMCA EELs and Tri-Town swim clubs.

“I am looking forward to seeing what she brings to the pool,” coach Barlett said of Sydney Siperko.

Having experience is always key in swimming and all of Hughesville’s swimmers are motivated to get back to districts and set PRs. And no doubt they want to get higher on the podium as well.

Coach: Erik Barlett

Assistants (not available)

Returning state qualifiers: None.

Returning district qualifiers: Ashlynn Barlett, Luke Siperko, Evelynn Meckbach.

Remaining roster: Sophie Yoder, Sydney Siperko.