Despite having lost half of last year’s State Open qualifiers to graduation and a small roster of 20, Newtown High School’s boys’ swimming and diving team has high hopes for another strong campaign.

How successful can it be?

“The team culture has come a long way in the last two years, and I expect that to pay huge dividends across the board this season and see the times of the entire team to continue to drop as they now know what I expect of them and realize that work in equals fast times,” said third-year Coach Adam Fielding, who also coaches the Bunnell of Stratford girls in the fall.

Newtown finished third in the South-West Conference Championships and seventh in the Class LL State meet a year ago, before coming in 18th in the State Open.

“We would like to stay in the top ten at Class LL and hopefully be in the mix for top three at SWCs — looking to lower some relay records and qualify more individual swimmers for the state meet,” said Fielding, adding that he is hoping to keep a young and small group of divers healthy to compete in championships.

Individual aspirations are well within reach, but lack of depth in numbers means attaining some team goals may be challenging.

“It’s going to take a huge amount of focus on our goals and tough work at practices to achieve what we are looking for. It’s also going to take an improvement from everyone on their walls and underwater, which left something to be desired after last season,” Fielding said. “Our strengths are looking to be the sprint free events and relays.”

Key returnees include Rick Irving (200- and 100-yard freestyle), Xavier Williams (50, 100, and backstroke), Sean McCleary (200 and 500), and Colby Delia (sprints and breaststroke),

Williams, McCleary, and Delia are captains.

“The usual suspects, Weston, Pomperaug, and most of all Brookfield for us,” are the teams the Hawks have their eyes on, said Fielding, adding that Masuk of Monroe will also be a tough competitor for the Nighthawks.

Pomperaug of Southbury is the six-time SWC champ as well as one of the best in the state each year, Weston has finished runner-up in the conference three seasons in a row and is a six-time state champion (combination of Class S and M), and Brookfield has won two consecutive Class S state titles and may be the favorites for third. Fielding noted that Brookfield suffered less from graduation than his Nighthawks. The season opens at home when Weston comes to town Thursday, December 13, at 5 pm, then the Hawks visit Brookfield YMCA on December 18 for a 7 pm meet, so it stands to be a very challenging start to the season for the blue and gold.

Fielding is hopeful his Nighthawks can battle it out with Brookfield for third once again and added that Masuk is on the rise and a possible contender for a top spot, according to Fielding.

“We are riding a two-year win streak against Brookfield into the Brookfield meet, which is early in the season this year,” said the coach, adding that he is looking forward to a January 15 visit to Masuk, at 4 pm, by which time the Hawks stand to have a better feel about things. In the early going, there will be some juggling to find the ideal events for team members based on needs and skills.

“Boys’ season is always on my mind. It’s a long mental and physical grind for me and the swimmers, but in the end, once championship season comes around, the energy shifts, and you can see and feel the focus. The boys make it fun, and we have really hit a groove with our team culture and chemistry, so I’m very excited to start the journey again this season,” the coach said.