However, this year's freshman class is full of talent and boasts some of the fastest times Amherst has ever seen, leaving many to believe that this year will be a great one.
"I'd keep your eye on all the freshmen this year," said co-captain Patrick Kennedy '03. "They are probably one of the most talented classes I have seen in a while."
Last Friday afternoon, the team held their annual mock meet, called time trials, in which the team swims all the events to give Coach Nick Nichols an idea of how fast people are swimming.
Bryan Woo '06 has swam extremely well in practices and looks to make an immediate impact in the 100-yard butterfly. Fellow freshman Rick Estacio is also swimming remarkably well in the the 100-yard backstroke.
These excellent practice performers, along with those of the rest of the class of 2006, have impressed the other members of the team and have given them a huge confidence boost.
The addition of diver Alex Maas '06, has given the diving team some much needed depth. "With him, our men's diving team is really sitting pretty," said co-captain diver Ben Hopkins '03.
However, the freshmen are not the only ones making waves in the pool.
"Not only the new class, but the returning [classes] are looking very promising as well," said Kennedy.
"Everyone is looking great in the pool, and the competition in practice has definitely stepped up a notch or two."
Mike Pohorylo '04, who placed third in the 200-yard breaststroke at NCAA Division III Nationals last year, spent the summer training with Harvard University's swim team and, as Grant Mandsager '04 remarked, "is in outstanding shape."
Other key returnees include Hopkins, who placed sixth in the 1-meter diving at Nationals last year.
Also looking to make an impression this year is Kennedy, the fourth-place finisher at last year's NESCAC Championships in the 50-yard freestyle.
Steven Shapiro '04 was a strong finisher in all of the distance events at the championships last year. Though he is abroad this fall, he will look to improve upon last year's performance in the second half of the season.
With such a talented freshman class and a large number of returning phenoms, the team is looking forward to taking on all challengers with anticipation. Both Middlebury and Williams Colleges look to be formidable NESCAC foes.
The Ephs handed the Jeffs their only defeat in the 2001-2002 season, and Nichols' squad will look to avenge that loss on Jan. 11 in Williamstown.
The expectations for this season do not stop at Williams; many team members are already looking forward to the NESCAC Championships.
"Last time we won NESCAC's was in 1967," said Kennedy. "Let's just leave it at that. It's going to be a great season."