By Doug Petrowski

Second in a series previewing the Mountlake Terrace High School 2012-13 winter season sports teams.

While not the biggest or most competitive boy’s swim team in the 3A Wesco South division last year, the Mountlake Terrace Hawks were a close knit group that swam hard and built close friendships with each other. This year’s team co-captains, senior Armen Nalbandyan and junior Wyatt Allemann, want to carry on those aspects of the squad this season.

Nalbandyan is looking to the work of last year’s captains, Shawn Semana and Jon Vance, as inspiration for leading this year’s team. “Shawn and Jon kept the team close together,” Nalbandyan said.  “We all knew each other well and are still great friends. Wyatt and I would like to continue what Shawn and Jon did by pushing our teammates to be the best, but also by keeping swim team fun.”

With the addition of some first-year swimmers, Nalbandyan is looking for the team to have a solid season and to see many of his teammates qualify for the 3A District meet in early February.

Nalbandyan also has personal goals for the post-season. “One of my goals would be to make it to districts in my favorite events, the 100-yard butterfly,” he said.

The MTHS boys swim team opens its 2012-13 season on Tuesday, Dec. 3, against the Everett Seagulls at the Forest Park Pool in Everett. The squad’s first home meet is two days later versus Stanwood at the Lynnwood Pool.