The Renton boys swim and dive team comes into this season with 23 swimmers, the school’s biggest team in 10 years. However, with 10 of those swimmers being seniors, Renton coach Diane Pavelin can’t help but look forward a little bit.

“When you look at the fact that our senior class is scoring major points and is our most versatile group, too, it could be a long season next year,” Pavelin said.

But before the Indians get to that point, Pavelin gets to enjoy her strong team this season. The Indians are riding momentum from last year’s fifth-place finish at districts and 12th-place finish at state.

The group starts with senior Steve Sholdra, who’s committed to attend and swim for Fordham University next season. Sholdra achieved Ironman status last year by qualifying for state in every event, and his accomplishments went far beyond that.

Sholdra won a 2A state title in the 500 freestyle. His time of four minutes, 35.66 seconds smashed the previous 2A state record (4:59.96) and earned him All-American consideration. Sholdra also took fifth in the 100 breast.

Other key returners for Renton include seniors Aslan DaVault, Adriel Paine and Tyler Pascual. All qualified for districts last season in individual events and swam at state in relays.

A newcomer to watch is freshman Dan Pham. Pavelin is excited about his potential, though she’s not sure what to expect just yet.

“Until we put him in a race, I have no idea how good he really is,” she said.

The team’s biggest loss was Jeremy Odden. Odden placed 13th at state in the 100 back and also held down an important spot on the team’s 200-medley relay state team.

“It really puts a crimp in the medley,” Pavelin said. “We just don’t have another backstroker to make up for that loss.”

Even so, Pavelin expects Renton to perform its best outside of dual meets, when the team’s heavy tilt of freestyle sprinters and lack of odd stroke swimmers won’t matter as much. Having Sholdra’s versatility will also help.

“Steve can do anything and everything,” Pavelin said.

After Sholdra and the seniors graduate, Pavelin is hoping she can bring up the next wave to lead the Indians.

“The seniors, aside from Steve and Aslan, started off as freshmen with no experience,” she said. “So we’ve sort of homegrown them. If that trend holds true, then hopefully we can homegrown the next group.”