There was a time Brett Arnold, Waterford High School's swimming coach, wasn't positive there was going to be a season, with a long-term construction project at the school including its pool.

"Once we got the official notice (the pool was closed), I was on the phone with (athletic director) Dave Sousa two or three times a day talking about it," Arnold said this week. "It was right at the end of summer; I don't know how much my wife liked it."

The Lancers found a temporary home in UConn-Avery Point, sharing practice time with Fitch and scheduling their home meets there. That means a bus ride for the Waterford athletes just to practice, instead of a walk down the hall to their own pool.

Yet despite a 3-5 record overall, 2-5 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference and a total of only 15 or so swimmers, Arnold's team appears to be flourishing. The scores against the top competitors are closer and freshman Asia Langley has busied herself breaking three school records thus far.

"We didn't make any excuses," Arnold said of his team being displaced from its pool. "We still have our good days and we still have our bad days.

"… They catch the bus to practice at 2:30. I took Abby (Gatheral) and Bri (Vetel, seniors) aside and told them to spend that time hanging out with the team. Use the bus rides to get to know each other better. The team is at 15, but it's one of the closest teams we've ever had."

Arnold teaches social studies at the school and can't help wondering how the new pool is coming along. He's grateful, though for Fitch's generosity in sharing its practice time.

"We were looking at all our options … I would have given the moon for swim practices," Arnold said. "In 11 seasons we've never beaten Fitch and here we are in the pool with them. It's been a very welcoming atmosphere. I know that Ken (Berg, Fitch coach) and I have a respect for one another.

"… We've had competitive meets with Fitch and NFA. We're right there in the races. We don't have any complaints."