DELRAY BEACH — Sibling rivalry aside, Atlantic High teammates Eric and Enoch Mobley love to swim.

Whether it’s in practice, a high school meet or a club workout, Eric, a senior, and Enoch a freshman, have played a key role in the Eagles’ early season success.

Atlantic is 3-1 and favored to finish among the top five boys’ teams in the Oct. 24 county championships at the North Palm Beach Country Club pool.

Eric, 17, is the Eagles’ team captain and holds the school record in the 100-yard breaststroke. Enoch, 14, is the national age group record-holder in the 50-yard breaststroke and is closing in on his brother’s record. They probably won’t swim against each other until the district championships.

“You try to keep your best people apart so they’re not beating each other out of places,” Atlantic assistant coach Kim Conrad said. “They may swim the same event at districts. They both stand a very good chance of going to state in the breaststroke.”

The brothers are diplomatic when asked who’s better.

“He is better than me in some strokes, the 50 and 100 freestyle,” Enoch said. “I am better in the 50 and 100 breaststroke. Right now, I’m trying to break the high school record in the 100 breaststroke.

“We’re not competitive, we root for each other,” Enoch said.”Sometimes we get on each other’s nerves but we help each other out.”

Conrad said Enoch has an edge.

They both train and compete year-round with Gregg Tye and his USS club South County Seahawks at Aqua Crest.

“Enoch is a little faster than Eric,” Conrad said. “Eric is an excellent leader. I’m sure it was a little awkward for Enoch coming in as a freshman when big brother is here. They seem to be handling it well.”

It was only natural Enoch follow in his brother’s footsteps. He always went with his parents to watch his brother compete in swim meets. Then, six years ago, Enoch started swimming.

“At first I didn’t like it but after a while I did,” Enoch said.

Tye inherited the siblings when he moved from California in 1989 to coach at Aqua Crest. There is also Gerron Mobley, 10, who will probably erase his brothers’ school records by the time he’s ready for high school.

Tye said they were already well-skilled when he took over the program.

“Eric was the oldest on the club team,” Tye said. “He was the serious swimmer. He had leadership qualities and outstanding work habits. He wanted those around him to share in those work habits.”

Eric holds the school record in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:04.36). He swims the 100-yard freestyle and is a member of the 400-yard free relay team which made it to the state finals last year.

Tye said it’s only a matter of time before Enoch is setting high school records. At 12, he was ranked first nationally in the 50-yard breaststroke, second in the 100-yard breaststroke, and seventh in the 100-yard individual medley.

“Enoch was someone I noticed very quickly when I arrived,” Tye said.”He had the ability to get up and race extremely well. He has amazing competitive instincts.”

At times, the brothers compete against each other on the club level.

“The competitiveness is definitely there,” Tye said. “It is quite healthy. They both support each other. There’s definitely that emotional attachment where they have total respect for one another’s efforts. It’s nice to see siblings not put each other down. Eric understands Enoch has more potential and he’s very proud of his younger brother.”

Eric said he enjoys being a role model for his younger brothers and others.

“This is a great environment, growing up with swimming,” Eric said. “I wish more people would go out for it. I enjoy being a role model. I like having the little kids look up to me, and I like having my brothers around.”