Swim and dive open season with alumni and intrasquad meets

The CSB and SJU swim and dive teams started their season with a splash last weekend, competing in their annual intrasquad and alumni meet.

The intrasquad meet (a.k.a. Red and Blue meet) is a fun way for the team to get back into competition before the season starts.

“The intrasquad meet is always fun because we split into two teams and have some friendly competition and a chance to race before our conference meets start,” senior Katie Brewer said.

The Alumni meet, occurring a few days after the intrasquad meet, is a special opportunity for the swim and dive teams to compete and connect with alumni swimmers and divers.

“It’s a unique opportunity to have conversations with [alumni] that were once in our shoes and are now into careers. It is encouraging to hear the paths they choose after graduation and to compare majors/career interests,” senior Jack Grabinski said.

This meet is a highlight of the season for many athletes and inspires personal connections between generations of CSB+SJU alumni. The Alumni meet added to the excitement of homecoming weekend and served as a reminder that the swim season is about having fun, too.

“We are beyond appreciative of [the alumnus] time and support throughout the season, and our meet will kickstart a stronger relationship between current and past Johnnie swimmers and divers,” senior Ethan Huber said.

Both meets served as a strong platform for the upcoming season. This year, the team is looking forward to the season’s competition and camaraderie.

“Competition season gets busy, but it’s so much fun being a part of a close team. I have always loved the energy at competitions, and we all do a good job cheering and supporting each other,” said Grabinski.

The swim and dive teams hope to have a successful season, especially with talented athletes spread out over all classes.

“We have some incredible leadership this year in our senior class and a wealth of talent in the younger classes. It will be a fun year to see the team grow and push themselves to achieve their very best,” SJU head coach Ben Gill said.

The teams have a long season ahead of them with numerous dual meets, invitational meets and the Minnesota Challenge at the University of Minnesota. The season will present tough competition and challenges, but it will prepare the team well for the MIAC Conference meet, which will take place Feb. 15-18.

“If we continue to focus on being the best that we can be in and out of the pool each and every day, that is all that we can do. From there we will let the chips fall as they may, but I believe that we can compete with the best of the conference,” said Gill.

For the seniors, their last season as a CSB+SJU athlete is bittersweet, but with that comes experience and perspective.

“Every practice, dryland and meet brings me closer to finishing my collegiate career, and I want to be present and enjoy each minute,” senior Mary Ridgeway said.