Veteran coach Jay Paulson figures team depth will again be the strong suit as his Bonney Lake High Panthers head into another swim and dive season.

With a team heavy on seniors and juniors, Paulson will be looking to add to the roster of two dozen-plus he’s now counting on. He hopes more will join the squad now that the school-closing, practice-cancelling weather has passed.

“That’s been our toughest challenge so far, the weather,” Paulson said, noting the entire second week of turnout was scrapped.

When things return to normal, Paulson will count on a handful of returning players to lead the way. Panthers expected to set the pace are Cody Steiert, Zach Pettit, Andrew Allen, Zach Bordelon and Zach Goodsell. The latter two, Paulson said, came on strong during the second half of last season. In addition, Cody Rae is a sprinter that should help the team.

Paulson, the only coach the boys swim team has had in the school’s six seasons, said the first meet of the season will be called off because his swimmers will not have the necessary 10 practice sessions under their belts.