After a rocky start to the season, the Saints swim team feels like it is coming along well.

In the second year under the direction of coach Lauren Brooks, the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy swim team has had to overcome a few things. With some facility issues, bad weather and some injuries, it has been hard for the Saints swim team to get into a rhythm this season.

Despite the obstacles, there have been bright spots this season. At the NSA holiday classic, the girls’ swim team took first place out of four teams. There are also 10 swimmers qualified so far for the state championship meet. Brooks expects a few more swimmers to qualify in the meets the Saints have left.

In Brooks’ first year, she focused on building chemistry with one another and understanding her athletes and them understating her and what she expects. When this season started, the second-year coach felt like she had picked up right where she left off with her team. They have added about 10 new swimmers this season, which equaled a total of 45 swimmers. Brooks sees the mix of old and new as a fun challenge to manage.

NSA had its senior day meet recently. Even though Brooks has known the seniors for only a short while, she knows it will be a different team without them.

“Their leadership and servanthood is evident to their fellow teammates,” she said. “Three of my captains will be graduating this year, and seven total seniors are graduating.”

Brooks is expecting NSA to finish out the season strong and feels like it is a testament to her team that the athletes are able to overcome unforeseen circumstances and still finish strong.

“I feel that we have had a very successful season despite some unanticipated setbacks, and I know we will walk away from this season proud of what we have accomplished,” Brooks said.

NSA will compete in the Seton School Division II Invitational this Saturday at the Freedom Center.