The boys swim team won while the girls team lost to Keystone Oaks at a home meet on Monday.

The Highlanders did well with their individual events, such as the 200 freestyle, junior Rhiannon Diffendal said. Specifically, freshman Denise Roush did well for the girls. Additionally, Diffendal beat her record for the 200. 

“I dropped four seconds, which I’m really proud about,” Diffendal said.

Both the boys and the girls did well with their butterfly strokes, she said. But one area the team could improve on is the relays, she said. 

“That’s where we lost a lot of our points,” Diffendal said. 

On the boys team, sophomore Matteo Cuenca says his strongest moment was the 50 free in the relay. He also said that Braydon Kuch had a standout performance. 

“He is on pace to go sub-minute or even qualify for WPIALs,” Cuenca said. 

He said the team members all supported one another during the meet.

“There was great chemistry all around,” Cuenca said

Keystone Oaks, meanwhile, had good team energy and a strong number of swimmers, Cuenca said.

Diffendal feels that the Highlanders have improved a lot since last year. 

“We have a lot more people, which is really good,” Diffendal said. 

She feels hopeful about the team’s future with the number of people and the improvements they have made.

“The freshmen are doing their best, which I think is absolutely amazing,” she said.

Cuenca said the team can do even better at their next meet with more focus. “I think pushing harder at practice and focusing on specific goals and techniques will help us accomplish more at our next meet,” Cuenca said. 

The teams will compete next on Thursday against South Park.