A Reed is back in control of the Bronco boys swimming and diving program, and the athletes are hoping results — and a rise in numbers — will soon follow

Finally.

After swimming through practice after practice, the Bronco boys swimming and diving team finally opens the season Tuesday at home in an invitational.

With Chisholm dropping the program this season, the Falls was left with only the Hibbing relays as competition before Christmas break, and that’s considered a scrimmage.

“Lots of days of practice before the first meet,” senior tri-captain Andrew Mannausau said, noting they are itching to ditch the routine and compete against other teams.

The 2008-09 Broncos have a new coach and few numbers, but one of the main focuses of the new hire is to improve on the latter. And there’s plenty of experience at the position.

Beth Reed — the wife of Rick Reed, who spent 34 years as head coach of the Broncos swimming program — takes over for Chad Shoberg, who lasted one season.

“It was easy to come back, because I didn’t want them to drop the program,” Beth Reed said, noting there were no threats to drop the program, but there was a struggle to find a new coach.

When Rick Reed left two years ago, there were 45 swimmers in the program in grades 7-12, including 15 seniors. This year there are 24 swimmers and three seniors.

“That’s going to be my challenge again this year, to get another kid out,” Beth Reed said.

The new coach has a good base to work with, and the Broncos are hoping some success will draw in more athletes.

The 200-yard freestyle relay foursome qualified for state last season, and two swimmers return from that group — sophomores Ames Bryant, a captain, and Joe Baron, who earned the distinction of being the fastest freshman ever in Bronco history last year. His time of 23.37 seconds in the 50 freestyle topped the previous best of 24.14 set by Raph Gelo in the 2004-05 season.

“He is amazingly fast,” Reed said about her up-and-coming sophomore.

Ben Shofner, the third captain with Bryant and Mannausau, also returns after being an alternate for last year’s 200 freestyle relay. Senior Mike Menard and freshman Alex Henningson are also expected to make an immediate impact in a small lineup.

“The whole varsity will be maxed out,” Mannausau said.

But with an experienced and enthusiastic new coach, who many don’t even consider new, the Falls will look to transition into a better future.

“She’s been around it for how many years, and she has one of the best helpers at her house,” Mannausau said before Shofner chimed in.

“She knows what we need.”