Standing on the edge, competitors wait for the signal to jump.  After what feels like an eternity, the signal comes, and the row of competitors from across the county springs forward and splashes down into the pool, immediately racing for the other side.  Now take the stakes at a normal meet and raise it even higher.

 The Potomac Falls Swim Team is now preparing for such stakes after a successful VHSL Conference Championship back in January.  Now, they are set to compete at VHSL Regionals on Friday.

 “Our team did great.  We won the title.  This is our third undefeated season,” said senior and team captain Jonathan Perry.  Other team members agree that the season was a success as well.

 “I think it was good.  I’d say it was better than last year.  We got older and gained more experience.  We feel pretty accomplished,” said sophomore Jonathan Weese.

 In the wake of the victory, the team has been able to enjoy their victory, but has continued to prepare for the Regional Championship on Feb. 7, which promises to be a difficult tournament.

 “I feel pretty good about how we’ve done this season.  Not many people will move up to States because of changes in qualification requirements though, but we have all still performed amazingly,” said Perry.

 As a result of the increased pressure, the team has made every effort to get in practice time, which has not always been easy either as a result of the recent weather.

 “We’ve been doing the usual practices.  Most of our swimmers are on club teams, so we already have plenty of practices anyway.  Because of snow, we weren’t able to fully prepare though,” said Perry.

 The practices, weather permitting, are actually very common, and sometimes quite early.

 “I’ve been training with my club team at 5:00 a.m. every morning before school, and also with the high school team,” said Weese.

 However, some concerns have been alleviated slightly due to the team’s stellar record, and a great history at Regionals, especially its performance at the tournament last year.

 “We did pretty well last year.  We almost won,” said Weese.  Other team members remember the tournament with a little more frustration than some.

 “We were so close to getting first at Regionals last year, but we were robbed and got second,” said Perry.

 The Regional Tournament itself will also be difficult due to VHSL realignment after the end of last year, which has seen Potomac Falls move up from AA to 5A status.

 “I think it will be a lot harder this year since we moved up a division because of the change in VHSL alignment,” said Weese.

 Despite all of these factors, the team remains focused on this tournament, and has solid goals and expectations for itself, which they hope will culminate in a victory tomorrow.

 “I hope we can finish in the top three, but I would really like to see more people get to states.  That’s the main goal,” said Perry.