Bennie and Johnnie swimmers ready for MIAC

The CSB and SJU swim and dive teams will be competing at the MIAC Championships in Minneapolis at the Jean Freeman Aquatic Center at the University of Minnesota starting on Feb. 15. The CSB swim and dive team has been training since the middle of September, which has included numerous lifting sessions, hours of practice in the pool and a training trip to Puerto Rico where the team had five hour practices every day. Senior swimmer Molly Johanson is feeling really good about MIACs and is excited to see everyone’s hard work and dedication pay off.

“I know that the seniors are going to have a hard time saying goodbye to everyone on the team because they have become our second family,” Johanson said. “All in all, I think this has been an amazing season with many good memories to look back on, and hopefully a great end to the season at MIACs.”

Reflecting on the season, senior diver Emi Quill recounted how lucky she feels to have been part of a team she considers family.

“MIACs coming up is incredibly bittersweet because it means the end of my last season of diving is creeping up, but I am so excited to dive MIACs with this team,” Quill said.

After watching many of her teammates have incredible finishes to their season at the Minnesota First Chance Meet last week, senior swimmer Mary Ridgeway said the anticipation has started to build among the team, and they are looking forward to competing at MIACs.

“I could not have asked for a better team to finish my college swim career with. My teammates are incredibly supportive, and we have truly become a family,” Ridgeway said.

CSB head swim and dive coach Mandy Wolvert said the team is aiming to break a few school records at MIACs, and she is excited to see what they achieve.

“The team has worked really hard this year in the pool to get ready for MIACs. Not only toward their goals, but they’ve worked hard to build a strong team that will succeed as one at MIACs. They’re excited to race, dive and support one another toward their goals,” Wolvert said.

SJU senior swimmer Ethan Huber said the team is excited for the opportunity to compete at MIACs and see all their training from the past five months pay off. Huber said the team has had a lot of preparation for the conference meet.

“It can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel throughout the season, but this incredible group of Johnnies have shown their resiliency, work ethic and commitment to one another can outlast any practice adversity,” Huber said.

SJU head swim and dive coach Ben Gill said the team is ready for next week and is excited to compete at their best and see all their training pay off.

“We have been building our training all season for the championships. In swimming, athletes prepare by now resting the body during what is called a taper. We step back on the amount of training that we do and focus on all the little details of races and strategy at this time,” Gill said.

According to Gill, many of the divers already qualified for NCAA Regionals, and he is hoping to have some swimmers join them. Several relays have potential to qualify for NCAAs, which would be the first in a long time that they have accomplished this.

“I’m so proud of what our team has accomplished over the season, and I know if we do our best in the biggest moment, we will have a great shot of being competitive for the MIAC Championship,” Gill said.