Before the season even began, the Renton girls swim team was dealing with a tough loss.

Junior Tala Hild suffered a shoulder injury and will miss much of the season, if not the whole season. Hild was part of a core of Indian swimmers turning the program around. Two years ago, Hild and junior Eloisa Bautista were the first Renton swimmers to make state in 11 years. Last year, she was a key part of three Renton state relays. Now, the team must adjust.

“It makes it awfully difficult for the relays to get to state,” said Renton coach Diane Pavelin. “One or two new girls could be fast, but maybe not as fast as Tala. Hopefully the other girls on the relay get faster and offset that loss.”

But it’s not all bad news. Bautista returns after swimming in four events at state. She made the finals in the 100 breastroke and placed 15th.

“Her goal is to get back to state again because that’s how she ended last year,” Pavelin said.

Health could also play a big role in Bautista’s season. Pavelin said she’s in better health than the previous two years, when various shoulder, elbow, knee and hip injuries have slowed her down.

Seniors Lynhda Vuong and Tonie Canlas also return after swimming in Renton’s three relays at state. Pavelin said Vuong in particular is looking to go out with a bang after she was disappointed with her junior season.

“She did not have a good junior year compared to her sophomore year,” Pavelin said. “That’s huge motivation as a senior, to end on a good note.”

Another returner to watch is senior Sabrina Bigelow.

One newcomer to watch is junior Jordan Mattheisen. Mattheisen attends Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bellevue, and while she’s new to the Renton team, she swims for a club team. Her experience will help the Indians. Renton also added four freshmen this year.

Pavelin expects to have 13-14 swimmers this season, similar to last year. Renton’s biggest goal at the moment is figuring out how to reform the relays to get back to state without Hild.

“It was really tough just knowing she’s out for the season,” Bautista said. “It just makes us think that we have to train harder and be better.”

Renton comes into this season more experienced at the 2A level, something that changed the mindset of the program last year, from underdogs to competitors.

“It was intense,” Vuong said. “We were motivated. At 3A we were always just nervous.”

Renton takes on Evergreen and Tyee at Hazen Sept. 29.