NAPILI — After a third place finish in last season’s Maui Interscholastic League standings, the Maui Preparatory Academy swim team looks to challenge the perennial powers once again in the 2022 campaign.

Guided by veteran head coach Mike “Tex” Ritter, Na Pueo will send a small, yet experienced, lineup on deck as the regular season meets began last week and will continue through the end of January.

The MIL Championships will follow, and the Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Championships are scheduled for Feb. 10-11, 2023, in Honolulu.

The Maui Prep girls team is led by returning seniors team captain Mia Merrill and Yuna Lee, and classmate Hana Gonzalez. They are joined by juniors Danna Kuperman, Layla Peterson and Rebekah Ankey; and standout freshman student-athletes Sacha Salem, Sadie Stafford and Tehya Chumbley.

The Na Pueo boys lineup includes returning team captains Legend Storer and Carter Bozich, and classmate Noah Caiserman. Freshmen Noah Richard and TJ Hehemann complete the line up.

Crosby Beam, Lindsey Stafford and Gabby Lindblad join Coach Ritter on the Maui Prep coaching staff.

Annalisa Figueroa is the athletic trainer, and Zach Bailey is the athletic director.

He complimented them all for their dedication to the welfare of the team and their hard work in the team’s daily practices at Lahaina Aquatic Center.

“I see really good things for this team. With their dedication and heart, along with the support and commitment of the parents, the school, and the booster club with uniforms and warm-ups, there is much promise ahead for them,” concluded Coach Ritter.