The Hampden Academy Broncos will be swimming on their own next year.

The SAD 22 board of directors approved a recommendation by the board’s athletic committee to go ahead with a swim team for the school, Hampden athletic director David Shapiro confirmed Thursday.

The athletic committee met just before Wednesday night’s board meeting in order to finalize its recommendation. There was no vote needed by the school board because the board had already allocated money for the team in the school budget.

“I know I’m really excited,” said Hampden sophomore swimmer Marggi Jadkowski. “Some of us wanted to stay with Brewer, but I think we’ve realized it’s time to move on. This is a great opportunity for us.”

The Broncos swam alongside the Brewer High squad for 17 years. It was an arrangement that worked until Hampden’s group grew too large and was informed by the Maine Principals’ Association last year that the school would have to form its own team.

During an April 27 meeting, the SAD 22 board approved $16,825 to create a new team, but earlier that day Hampden Academy principal Ruey Yehle got word from the MPA that it decided to grant Hampden an appeal of the original decision, which meant the Broncos had one more year with the Witches.

The next step for Hampden will be finding a coach and scheduling practice time. The Broncos will like practice at the Bangor YMCA’s Means Pool, which is just four lanes and is kept at a slightly warmer temperature than most competitive pools. Means Pool is frequently used for YMCA members’ exercise classes and therapy sessions.

Meets will likely be held at the Bangor YWCA’s six-lane Aloupis Pool, which is more suited for competition.

Hampden will now be able to score points in dual meets. While swimming with Brewer, the Broncos were considered exhibition swimmers and couldn’t score as a team until league and state championship meets.

Shapiro said Hampden is unsure if it will compete in Class A or Class B. The school’s enrollment is more than 700, while the swimming cutoff for Class A is 785.