There are 39 athletes on the Oxford Wildcats Swim & Dive team (14 freshmen, eight sophomores, nine juniors and eight seniors).

With such a large team, Varsity Swim & Dive Head Coach Jackie Rank said they will focus more than ever on coming together as a team during swim meets.

“Our team goal this year is (to achieve) team unity. We have a very large team of 39 girls, but I want all the girls to know one another and to be there to motivate each other. I want them to improve on their team relationships so that each girl feels like they are a part of something bigger than themselves,” Rank said.

While Rank said each student has something unique to offer the team, she said several students have shown great leadership, work ethic and talent in the pool, including seniors Bella Giannola (team captain, butterflyer, and IM’er), Danielle Kemp (team captain and distance freestyler), Jenna Zeiter (diver); juniors Rachel Commons (team captain and all-around swimmer) and Victoria McClenaghan (breaststroker); sophomores Claire Alexander (backstroker and distance freestyler), Cailin Griffith (all-around swimmer), and Keira Veltigian (diver); and freshmen Sabrina Kurk (butterflyer and freestyler) and Ashlee Weltyk (all-around swimmer).

Rank says she expects great things from the swim and dive team this season.

“I’m really looking forward to this season and seeing what the Wildcats can accomplish, individually and as a team,” she added. “I see us breaking a few school records, placing high at the Oakland Activities Association Blue Division League Meet, and qualifying athletes for the D1 State Meet.”

The team is 1-1 overall.

The girls will take on Stoney Creek High at home on Sept. 15. The meet begins at 6 p.m.