For the Nansemond River swim team, the boys form a group with the experience to win now, and the girls’ side looks to be the team of the future.

Last year, the NR boys’ team finished 4-4 and lost a lot of talent to graduation.

“We graduated — I think it was — eight males last year, and that team actually took a relay team to regionals, and I had four individual events in regionals last year,” Warriors head coach Shamus Riley said. “So this year I was like, ‘Well, it’s going to be a rebuilding year.’”

Then tryouts came around, and Riley noticed Robert Boswell, a senior transfer from Greenbrier Christian, and freshman Logan Eubanks. Boswell swims the 200-meter individual medley and the 100-meter breaststroke.

In the first meet of this season against Grassfield on Nov. 29, Eubanks helped assert his presence by breaking the school record in the 100-meter butterfly with a time of 1:09.65.

In the same meet, Boswell and Eubanks formed a 200-meter medley relay team with senior captain Kyle Cook and sophomore Cody Edwards that broke the school record by seven seconds with a 2:06 time.

In addition to Cook and Edwards, Riley is also expecting strong performances this season from senior Tyler Till and junior Jacob Hopple.

Riley revealed his expectations for the boys’ team when he wrote among his goals for the team — “to finish the season above .500, qualify multiple team relays and individuals for Regional Championships.”

What originally seemed like a rebuilding year has become something entirely different, with the 26-man team posting a 2-1 record already for this season.

“So, looking at it, I honestly think this will probably be my strongest boys’ team,” Riley said.

The girls’ team, however, does not have as much experience to bank on this season, particularly after losing Alyssa Sperlazza to graduation. Sperlazza was Riley’s last female swimmer to go to regionals, qualifying in both her junior and senior years.

Senior captain Sara Gallagher remains as the only girl on the team who currently has previous regional-level experience.

“She’s my strongest swimmer, probably, on the girls’ team this year,” Riley said.

Riley will be counting on her in the 50 and 100 meter freestyle events.

“Other than that it’s a very, very, very young girls’ (team), but with that being said, a lot of the girls have swimming experience,” Riley said.

Sophomore Jordan Stockman will also be expected to lead the team in three different events: the 100- and 200-meter freestyle and the 100-meter breaststroke.

Three newcomers to watch include freshmen Kaitlyn Higgins, Cali Valdivieso and Taylor Pearl.

The 25-member girls’ team is 0-3 this season, but already showing promise for the future.

“They’ve actually cut time off every single meet this year in the first three meets,” Riley said.

Nansemond River faces Hickory today at the Great Bridge Swim and Racquet Club.