With a handful of swimmers that have experience at the state championships, the Oakville boys swimming and diving team is hoping that a strong senior class will lead them to victory in 2023.

“We’ve got a very strong senior class this season,” Oakville head coach Dan Schoenfeldt said. “Our juniors are beginning to come around and we’ll have a big sophomore class this season.”

Senior Trent Batten will swim in the sprint freestyle events as well as the 100 meter backstroke and the 100 meter butterfly this season.

“Trent’s looking great this season,” Schoenfeldt said. “I think he’s got his sights set on qualifying in several events at state this year.”

Another senior to watch this season is Ben Pantazo, who will take on the 200 meter and 500 yard freestyle as well as the 100 meter backstroke in 2023.

“I think Ben is going to have a very good senior year,” Schoenfeldt said. “He’s a very intelligent swimmer and has consistently gotten faster. We’re expecting big things from him this year.”

Pantazo’s twin brother Jake will see action in the sprint freestyle events as well as the 200 meter individual medley.

“Jake is also looking really good this season,” Schoenfeldt said. “He’s a tremendous sprinter that can also handle the individual medley which makes him a very good, all-around swimmer.”

Brayden Zimmermann is another senior sprint freestyle specialist that will be a key piece to the Tigers’ relay team success this season.

“Brayden’s a very strong sprinter,” Schoenfeldt said. “He’s going to be a big part of our relays and sprint freestyle events this season.”

Schoenfeldt also believes that junior Nathan Baker could see some success throughout the 2023 campaign and even put himself in position to qualify for the state championships.

“We’re looking for him to improve a lot this season,” Schoenfeldt said. “I think he’s got a good chance to qualify for state this year.”