1 Does Mercer Island have the talent back to make a run at its seventh consecutive Class 3A state title? Islanders coach Chauntelle Johnson said her team has the depth and top-level talent to add to the six titles in a row in 3A. MI returns nine swimmers who competed at the state meet a year ago and got an infusion of young talent.

"We don't talk about the six (titles) before this year, just this year and that's it," Johnson said. "I think they can do it, but it will not be easy. Lakeside, Bainbridge and Liberty are really good. I still think we have a chance to win a seventh (title)."

2 Can a trio of swimmers pull off a repeat of two individual titles at the state meet? Eastlake sophomore Edward Kim looks to remain on track to bring home the maximum eight individual state crowns in his prep career after opening with firsts in 4A in the 50 free (21.32) and 100 free (45.56).

Also hoping to enjoy another two-title state meet are Kennedy junior Thane Maudslien, who won the 100 fly (50.20) and 100 backstroke (50.30) in Class 3A and Archbishop Murphy senior Alec Barnard, who took top honors in the 200 free (1:43.17) and 100 fly (51.47) in 2A.

3 Return to glory? The Bellevue boys swim team last won a state title in 3A in 1999. The Wolverines, who have five state titles and eight runner-up finishes, could have enough talent to climb back into state contention.

Kamiak has won two of the last three 4A state titles, winning in 2009 and 2011. Can the Knights keeping producing the same talent?

4 Wrong year for Chase? With another sensation bursting onto the boys swim scene last season in Eastlake's Edward Kim, it could be a matter of bad timing for Kentridge sophomore Chase Bublitz. The Chargers' top talent finished as a runner-up to Kim at the 2011 Class 4A state meet in both the 50 free and 100 free. Kim, also a freshman last season, bested Bublitz 21.32 seconds to 21.42 in the 50 free and then topped Bublitz 45.56 to 47.54 in the 100 free.

5 Four of the Class 3A events seem nailed down by the Bainbridge brother combination of Andrew and Todd McCarthy. How big of an impact will the duo have at state in 2012? As of last week, senior Andrew McCarthy led 3A state swimmers in the 200 free (1:47.70) and 500 free (4:45.02) and sophomore Todd McCarthy was tops in the 100 back (54.66) and 100 butterfly (53.80). Andrew won the 500 free at 3A state last year, clocking in with an All-American consideration time of 4:33.09, and was fourth in the 200 free.

Matt Massey

Information in this article, originally published Jan. 3, 2012, was corrected Jan. 4, 2012. A previous version of this story said that Kennedy High School swimmer Thane Maudslien was a senior. He is a junior.