BELLINGHAM

RED RAIDERS

Coach: Jeff Anderson

Last year: Finished third in the Class 2A Northwest Conference standings with a league record of 5-3 and was 6-3 overall. ... Qualified seven swimmers or relays for the Class 2A State Swimming and Diving Championships. ... Maddie Gillman was an All-Whatcom County selection.

Swimmers to watch: Maddie Gillman (jr.); Kaia Johnson (sr.); Yvonne DuBois (jr.); Ellie Kindlund (jr.); Madeline Cassar (sr.); Valentina Lopez (sr.)

Outlook: Bellingham coach Jeff Anderson's first year with the Red Raiders was a huge success. He helped Bellingham finish fourth in the Northwest Conference and qualified several swimmers for the Class 2A State Swimming and Diving Championships. Several of those state swimmers - Maddie Gillman, Kaia Johnson, Yvonne DuBois and Ellie Kindlund - return this year, bolstering the Red Raiders' roster. "I am always about steady improvement," Anderson said in a phone interview. "The girls are trying hard everyday, and we are going to get better and better." Anderson acknowledged Sehome and Squalicum are still the class of the Northwest Conference, but he said he believes Bellingham can reach the top of the second tier of league teams. Seniors Madeline Cassar and Valentina Lopez are two others who should help Bellingham reach such a level.

2012 SCHEDULE

Sept. 7 NWC Relays (Arne Hanna) 3:15 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Squalicum* 3:15 p.m.

Sept. 18 Lynden* 3:15 p.m.

Sept. 22 NWC Invitational (Fidalgo Pool) 1 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Sehome* 3:15 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Anacortes* 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Ferndale* 3:15 p.m.

Oct. 6 District Dive 3 p.m.

Oct. 9 at Sedro-Woolley* 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 Burlington-Edison* 3:15 p.m.

Oct. 20 District Dive (Fidalgo Pool) 3 p.m.

Oct. 26 NWC "B" Championships 3:30 p.m.

*NWC meet

Reach ANDREW LANG at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call ext. 862.