The Roanoke Valley Aquatic Association season opened Monday and both the Stonegate Swim Club and the Hidden Valley Country Club hosted opening night meets. The Gators swam against Forest Hills and Hidden Valley played host to Spring Run and Our Lady of Nazareth.

This year Stonegate has co-coaches, as Christen King and Brandon Ress take over the team. King is a Salem High grad and former Spartan swimmer and Ress is the assistant coach at Roanoke College.

Hidden Valley is once again coached by Salem’s Robin Bowen.

“The Blue Wave has lots of returning swimmers this year and several new families, so it’s going to be an exciting season,” said Bowen. “There were several great races and time improvements throughout the evening Monday.”

Next Monday Hidden Valley is at Castle Rock while Stonegate and the Vinton Swim team travel to the Elks Lodge pool.