They make it seem easy; effortlessly gliding through the water. Below the surface though, is a well-oiled machine, working steadily at a craft, perfecting the precision and timing of swimming.

The swimmers on the Mercer Island boys team have never known what it’s like not to be a state champion. The five-year winning streak pre-dates any member of the team and the coaches.

Despite the impressive list of wins, Chauntelle Johnson said, her goal is not to let the swimmers focus on last year or the meet ahead, but the day they are living in. That doesn’t mean, however, there isn’t pressure to stay on top.

“There is a lot of pressure,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to get them to focus on this year, right now. Last year doesn’t matter and next year doesn’t matter. There is pressure, but they respond to it well and seem to love the challenge.”

For the captains, winning is part of being on the team, but it isn’t simply because of one or two superstars, they said.

“We have a lot of talent,” said captain Kyle Moline. His brother, Evan Moline, agreed, saying the swimmers are very dedicated to the team.

“We also have coaches who know what they’re doing,” said Kyle.

The team opened the season 4-0 with its first meets on the road, offering a fast start to the year.

“The first meets, we were on the road and it really kicked off the training wheels,” said Johnson. She said one big thing she has stressed early on this season is focus, and she is already seeing that from the boys.

“I’ve seen that early on, so now we can move on to other things,” she said.

Johnson said this year’s team has strong seniors, which she counts as one of the team’s biggest strengths.

“The senior class is very strong,” she said. During her years of coaching at Mercer Island, Johnson said she has had the chance to watch them grow and mature into the leading roles they now have, and because of that, they’ve become pillars of the team.

Another team strength is the Islanders’ versatility. With so many good swimmers on the team, swimmers can jump into an event at any meet and post good times, which may very well be a secret to the long-term success. Johnson said they like to take as many guys to state as they can, and if the team has representation in every event, it’s hard not to win with the sheer numbers. Like years past, this season is very similar, offering an opportunity for kids to step into different roles and succeed, Johnson said.

To get to that point, the team needs to focus on the tasks at hand, which the captains understand.

“We have to keep swimming hard and come to practice and listen to the coaches,” said captain Michael Rosengren. Fellow senior captain Andy Wingerson agreed, saying it takes a good work ethic and team bonding to make it that far.

Everyone said they are excited to race against Bellevue, the team which took second at last year’s state meet, as well as Newport, a non-league but rival school.

“Any time we can swim against Newport, it’s exciting,” said Johnson. She added that the Kentridge Invitational, which the team will go to, brings in top talent from all over the state, giving the Islanders a chance to compete against bigger schools and push themselves.

“I think we’ll see some quality individual swims,” said the coach.

While members of the team each have goals for their season, including state wins for some, Johnson said that as long as they reach their marks, she’s happy.

“If these guys reach their goals, then I’ve done my job,” she said. “I can only handle what these guys do; I can’t control the rest.”

Without a doubt the Islanders are ready for the rest of the season and hope to continue their record from years past.

“It’s nice to go to state,” said Wingerson. “We like the competition.”

The Islanders will host Central Kitsap High School on Jan. 4 at Mary Wayte Pool at 3:30 p.m.