POULSBO — No diving.

The waves have been rolling again at the North Kitsap pool as Viking strokes and kicks splash into the 2005-06 season. Individual goals will be the fuel of this year’s crew, said head coach Greg Braun.

With a speckled roster and no divers, the Vikes will be looking for points wherever they can get them this season. Nearly half of the team consists of sophomores and new swimmers, and it will take some time to feel things out, Braun said.

“The frees will be the events where we will be stronger because people are familiar with the stroke,” Braun mentioned. “Right now, the guys who are returning are the ones we are counting on.”

Jeff Reeves is the only returning Viking who appeared at the state swims last year, he finished in sixth place of the 100 meter backstroke at district last year to get the nod in his sophomore season. This year, he said, he is looking to get qualified in the first meet of the season.

“I’ve been training with my (club) swim team, with the guy who won the 100 back last year,” Reeves said. “So I have been learning from him.”

In the NK pool, the cast has been learning from Reeves and returners. Juniors Spencer Nagley, Krister Seaberg and seniors Josh Jones and captain Brian Parrott also dive into the season with West Central Districts experience from last year and, Braun said, should be the team leaders.

Swimming is a mental sport, and the challenge is to push yourself to the absolute limit.

“I’d like to get (the team) to a point where they get to that threshold and can work through it, and realize they can do it again and again,” Braun said.

If this year’s team can learn that virtue, success should follow, although it may not always be in the form of team wins. With a midsized 20-person team devoid of divers, NK’s point totals will suffer accordingly. But the hope for the year is improvement, Braun reiterated.

At the team’s first meet against the Spartans of Bainbridge Island Dec. 6, the Vikings set their marks. Dec. 8, they set out for betterment as they travelled to CK, however, results were not available at press time.

“One goal is to bring the new guys up to speed and get them as close to districts time as possible,” Braun said. “If every kid ends the season with a best time, I’ll be immensely happy.”