There’s something in the water. Wrangell swimmers are regularly posting personal records from one competition to the next.

A small squad with a big kick, the Wolves have been chopping seconds off their times since practices started Aug. 6, coach Tory Houser said.

“In the first two meets, three of the swimmers experienced personal bests,” she said. “I’m really excited by what we have been seeing, and I’m hoping things will grow from here.”

The momentum rolled into the most recent competition Sept. 19-20 in Petersburg. Arabella Nore sliced four seconds off her 100-yard butterfly, dropping from 1:34.76 to 1:30.73. Team captain Johanna Sanford took a big bite out of the grueling 500-yard freestyle, cutting her time from 7:21.85 to 7:11.53.

Co-captain Andrei Siekawitch sprinted to new marks in a speedy double: 26.88 in the 50-yard freestyle (down from 27.34), and 59.54 in the 100-yard (down from 1:04.68), cracking the one-minute barrier.

Rounding out the team are Peter Houser, Amura Roher and Madelyn Davies, part of a tight-knit group that has leaned on each other — and on a growing circle of supporters — while making improvements. Houser is excited to see what happens at the next meet in Sitka on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3-4.

Houser calls herself a temporary steward of the program after coach Matt Nore shifted to assistant coach to focus on training for his new career as a Wrangell police officer. The arrangement hasn’t slowed the work.

“I stepped up to do this because I really wanted the swimmers to have a chance to compete,” Houser said. “I love watching them work so hard and seeing that work pay off. There’s so much work that goes into the act of swimming, and watching these kids work so hard at it is inspiring.”

Houser credits Sanford for keeping the team’s spark lit in the preseason.

“She basically kept things alive this year,” Houser said. “She went around knocking on doors and said, ‘I’m a swimmer, this is my senior year and I want to compete. Will you help support me?’” That enthusiasm helped attract more teammates and volunteers.

Siekawitch’s example in the lanes has been just as vital. “He works so hard and it shows, because he has set multiple personal records this season already,” Houser said, calling him “an excellent male role model” for the program.

Behind the blocks, a village of adults has pitched in. “We have some amazing adult volunteers. Alicia Sterns and Heather Armstrong have been such a big help,” Houser said.

“I can’t wait to see what happens in the future because Heather is so talented and knows so much about swimming. And she’s so good at motivating the swimmers. I think she will help increase the number of swimmers.”

Houser also praised assistant coach Nore for investing hours into research and tailored training plans to keep practices fresh and athletes engaged. And she was also quick to give credit and thanks to former swim coach Jamie Roberts, who moved out of town after years of coaching the squad.

The times don’t lie, and neither does the vibe. With personal bests popping and confidence rising, Wrangell’s swimmers seem to be just getting started. Houser said she plans to stay involved beyond this season — which should be welcome news for a team turning hard work into highlight times, one meet at a time.