Calvert Hall swimming coach Pat Marshall can't talk about his team without raving about the impact five freshmen could have, making the Cardinals more competitive among the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference elite in Loyola Blakefield, McDonogh and Mount St. Joseph.
"They have made a huge difference for us," Marshall said. "We are much deeper."
Marshall, however, won't forget about his standout upperclassmen who can lead the varsity newcomers.
Senior Colin Cassady and junior Zachary Potter each won two individual events to help visiting Calvert Hall to a convincing 108-60 victory over Gilman in the league opener Tuesday for both schools.
Cassady finished first in the 200 (1:51.50) and 100-yard (50.3) freestyle and Potter won the 500 free (5:07.13) and 100 breaststroke (1:04.90).
Cassady and Potter were also part of three first-place relay teams.
They teamed up with Brent Lawrence and Tim Cather in the 400 free relay (3:33.05); Potter, Cather, Casey Brown and Zach Metzler formed the 200 medley relay (1:46.80) while Cassady, Cather, Brent Lawrence and Andrew Ward comprised the 200 free relay.
"Our top guys are faster than a year ago and our depth is improving," said Marshall, whose team hosts McDonogh Friday. "That's what is important."
Junior Andrew Blomquist (1st, 200 IM, 2:05.77; 2nd breast, 1:07.03), sophomore Hamed Hudhud (1st, 100 butterfly, 56:87; 2nd 500 free, 5:07.95) and senior Justin Mun (1st 50 free, 23:70; 2nd 100 free, 51.46) had the best performances for Gilman.
"Our times seemed pretty good for our first meet," Gilman coach Ian Brooks said. "I told the guys, 'It was like taking our temperature today.' We are getting a baseline of where we are now, what we have to work on and things we have to do."