Cape Girardeau Central High's girls swimming team begins a new season today with plenty of youth and inexperience -- but also plenty of optimism.

"We sound a lot like the boys were this year," said Central coach Dayna Powell. "We're young with not a lot of experience. We said the same thing about the boys, but they ended up having a really good year. I think the girls can do the same thing."

The Lady Tigers, sixth in the state last season, will host Parkway Central at 5 p.m. today.

Central will build around two returning state champions. Senior Laura Dombrowski and sophomore Grace Freeman both were members of the Lady Tigers' 200 freestyle relay squad that captured last year's state title.

Dombrowski has been a state qualifier the previous three seasons.

Grace Freeman, who anchored that state champion relay team, also earned all-state individual honors as a freshman by placing fourth in the 50 freestyle. In addition, she was seventh in the 100 freestyle.

"We've got a pretty good anchor with Laura and Grace both back," said Powell.

Another returning state qualifier is senior Elizabeth Green, who competed on Central's medley relay team that made the state meet last year.

Other seniors on the roster are Regan Kelley, Amber Keller and Lisa Hobbs.

Juniors Powell will be counting on are Cathlin Miller, Jill Mosebach and Marissa Tilley.

Among the sophomores Powell is high on are Jennifer Freeze, Courtney Maguire, Michelle Hopen and Julia Lufcy while several freshmen -- led by Jean Maguire -- could also make an impact.