The Austin girls swimming and diving team is looking to one of its former swimmers to lead the way as it prepares for the upcoming season.

Alexa Dolan Peterson, who swam for the Packers in high school and has been an assistant coach for Austin since 1997, is taking over as head coach of the Packer swim team. Dolan Peterson had years of experience to learn about coaching under former head coach Lynn Gulbrandson, who will still coach the boys swimming and diving team in the Winter.

Gulbrandson was Dolan Peterson’s coach when she was a swimmer in high school.

“Over the years I watched what [Gulbrandson] did and I learned how to teach the different strokes,” Dolan Peterson said. “I became comfortable teaching the different strokes. My confidence grew as I watched him work with the girls.”

Austin senior swimmer Katelyn Hillson said the Packers have a solid comfort level with Dolan Peterson.

“We’ve known her for so long that it’s not too different. It’s going well,” Hillson said.

Dolan Peterson is excited to take over the girls swimming and diving program and while qualifying swimmers for state is one goal, she also wants to work to get every swimmer on the team to improve their times over the season.

“We’re going to continue to push them and set goals so we can accomplish what we want to accomplish,” Dolan Peterson said.

Austin will host Albert Lea 4 p.m. Aug. 28 in its season opener.