AJAX -- Ajax Aquatic Club head coach Matt Bell, preparing to go on the pool deck to begin practice at the Ajax Community Centre, is more than happy to spend an extra minute to expose the successes of his senior swimmers as they head into the biggest meet of the season.

The young coach has the luxury of both the quality and quantity of swimmers competing at the upcoming Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials in Montreal next month.

The club boasts eight athletes -- Nick Ducille, 18, Aidan Zoellner-Dougan, 19, Greg Laughlin, 18, Julian Monks, 17, Michelle Fleming, 15, Alex Andrechuk, 16, Christine Raininger, 17, and Devin Ste. Marie, 14 -- on deck at the Olympic Pool in Montreal from April 1 to 6, the highest total ever in recent memory, says Bell.

“As far as I know... to have eight going is the largest we’ve had,” says Bell, adding all eight are appearing in their first Olympic trials. “We’re one of the biggest groups from a small club.”

The AAC boasts an especially strong male contingent heading to trials, with freestyler Ducille, backstroke and freestyle specialist Zoellner-Dougan, and all-rounders Laughlin and Monks all possessing a wealth of experience at high-profile meets.

“They’ve all got more experience at the national level and they’ve also competed at the Bell Grand Prix international meet and also been in the Western and Eastern Canadian championships and won medals. They all know what to expect and they expect to be in front.”

All four, says Bell, have the potential to advance to the ‘A’ finals of their individual events. And, if that’s the case, they have a chance to make the Canadian swimming team going to Beijing, although he acknowledges qualifying for the 2012 Olympics in London, England may be the more likely scenario.

“We’re looking for a few athletes in the finals and, if we’re lucky, some will get into the ‘A’ final,” predicts Bell.

Sprint freestyler and Ajax resident Ducille is one of those swimmers hoping to be on the starting blocks in an ‘A’ final in Montreal.

“I want to make finals. I expect to swim faster than I ever have and, hopefully, that will lead to an appearance in the finals,” says Ducille, a dual citizen who may have the opportunity to qualify for the Jamaican Olympic swim team.

Zoellner-Dougan, a late bloomer in the AAC, having started competitive swimming at age 13, has an Olympic dream in his sights and is hopeful next week’s trials will yield an Olympic qualifying time in his specialty, the 100m backstroke.

“It’s a big meet and I’m excited for it. I hope to do well. I want to make an ‘A’ final in my best event,” says the Ajax resident and Pickering High School graduate.

Meanwhile, for the club’s four female swimmers, the trials offer an opportunity to gain more experience on the national stage. Andrechuk will compete in breaststroke and individual medley events, Ste. Marie in the freestyle and butterfly events, Raininger in the IM, freestyle and fly events and Fleming in the breaststroke and freestyle events.

“It’s a good yardstick for what they need to accomplish to get to the next level,” says Bell. “The men are more experienced and they’re going to lead the way, but we’re looking for the women to have a breakthrough meet and rise to the occasion.”

Ste. Marie, the youngest AAC swimmer at the trials, notes it’s all about gaining the valuable experience of competing against Canada’s best.

“I think just having a best time at that meet would be good,” she says.

Andrechuk, an Ajax High School student, also hopes to perform best times in her two breaststroke events, the 100-metre and 200m, at the trials.

Raininger also hopes to make waves in Montreal.

“I’m confident and ready for success,” says the Pickering High School student.