With 42 team members — 36 swimmers and six divers, the most third-year Coach Becky Osborne has had — there will be plenty of in-team competition for roles during meets for the Newtown High School girls’ swimming and diving team this fall.

“I’m really excited about this season. We have a huge squad,” Newtown Coach Becky Osborne said.

“I think our depth is going to be really great. The wealth is going to be spread out this year. It’s going to be a lot of people doing what they need to do to get point for the team,” Osborne said.

The Nighthawks stand to disperse the point-getting, and they will have to a do a lot of sharing when it comes to pool space given the large roster.

The Nighthawks lost nine team members to graduation, led by Mary Hufziger and Julia DiMartino, but bring back a wealth of talent and some strong newcomers.

Captains are Maddie Carter (breaststroke, individual medley, and 500 freestyle), Emma Riebe (IM, freestyle, and backstroke), and Kiera Sughrue (diver).

Other key returning swimmers include Caroline Mahoney (sprint freestyle), Martha Seaver (utility swimmer), Grace Bertsche (freestyle), Lianna Perazzo (sprint free), Lily van der Kroef (breaststroke). Freshmen are led by versatile Shayna Millard. The diving group is paced by Sughrue and Hannah Weatherby.

Tough competition within the South-West Conference stands to come from perennial powers Weston and Pomperaug of Southbury.

Osborne is looking for her squad to challenge Masuk of Monroe and Brookfield to crack the top three in the conference.

“I’m excited. There’s a great energy with the team,” Osborne said.

The regular season begins with a visit to Stratford on Friday, September 7, at 4:30 pm. Newtown’s first home meet is Tuesday, September 11, when Bunnell of Stratford visits at 5 pm.