With just one regular season meet remaining before the postseason begins at the South Puget Sound League 3A meet, Jan. 31, the Auburn Mountainview boys swimming team is concentrating on shaving times and qualifying swimmers for district and state meets.

The Lions are 7-2 in league, 7-3 overall as a team. Not bad for a team that has lost several impact swimmers, according to coach Justin Pritchard.

“Cameron Lindsay graduated, and we had a couple kids who didn’t come back that had some injuries,” he said.

The graduation of Lindsay – a state-placer in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 breaststroke, and a key part of the Auburn Mountainview relay teams – coupled with the loss of John Kyle Davis and Jordan Rogers, had Prichard worried about the team’s ability to keep pace in league this season, he said.

The steady maturation of other members of the team, however, put those fears to rest once the season got under way.

“The boys have been real positive,” Pritchard said. “They work real hard and bring it every day.”

Pritchard singled out seniors Riley King and Colin Lempert, and junior Luke Lavine as key.

“That’s why we’ve been able to overcome losing someone like Lindsay,” Pritchard said. “Riley is the big vocal leader on the team, that’s his contribution. And Luke is a quiet kid who just comes and works every day and leads by example. I’m expecting Colin and Luke to make it to state (in individual events).”

With Lempert and Lavine hoping to move on the freestyle events, Pritchard said he also hopes to move on his relay teams – featuring a core of King, Lempert and Tyler Arnold, backed by either Eric Dean and King.

“They’ll battle for those spots,” he said. “We’re working everyone extremely hard this year. They bought in that they want to be faster, and we’re trying to get there.”

The Lions hosted Bonney Lake at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, with results unavailable at press time.

The team competes in the SPSL 3A league meet on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at Lakes High School.