Swim and dive teams prepare for MIAC championships

The CSB+SJU swim and dive teams will compete in the 2025 MIAC Championships this week at the University of Minnesota’s Jean Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis.

The meet is a four day competition starting on Wednesday, Feb. 19 and concluding on Saturday, Feb. 22. On the side of St. John’s, they are ready to go.

“The energy around the team is very high. We all are going into MIAC’s with a positive mindset and trust in each other,” SJU senior Colby Kern said via email.

The Johnnies have been on a roll this season. They have won most of their dual meets and have placed well in their bigger meets too.

“We have been quite the team this year, beating Gustavus and beating all of the other MIAC schools. We have the right stepping stones to have a great meet this year,” SJU junior Cameron Schreifels said via email.

On the swimming side of things for the Bennies, they are feeling confident heading into the MIAC Championships.

“This whole season our swimmers have had strong races, especially following the return of our training trip. Knowing that all the hard work and preparation is in the bank, we are expecting to see some phenomenal results this week,” CSB junior Megan Bartels said via email.

On the diving side of things for the Bennies, they are feeling just as confident.

“We have been having an amazing season as divers. We are peaking at the right time and are ready to continue the momentum,” CSB sophomore Ella Kowalczyk said via email.

Kowalczyk looks to improve upon her eighth and tenth place finishes in the 3M and 1M dives at last year’s Championships. The Johnnies top diver, SJU senior Eli Grabinski, looks to close out his very successful career at the MIAC Championships with some more hardware.

Grabinski is a three-time MIAC Diver of the Year, a four-time MIAC Champion, a six-time All-MIAC honoree and he has already qualified for the NCAA Regional for the fourth-straight season.

One notable athlete on the Bennies to watch out for this week is CSB sophomore swimmer Mary Morris. Morris currently ranks second in both the 200-freestyle and 200-backstroke in the conference.

Additionally, CSB sophomore Claire Canfield, Bartels and CSB junior Rachel Schlueter all hold top10 times in the conference this season in various events.

SJU senior Carter Larson, SJU junior Brayden Slavik, SJU senior Liam Noble and Kern are notable athletes to watch on the swimming side of things for the Johnnies.

Both the Bennies and the Johnnies are ready to go. The Johnnies have their eyes set on the big prize. “If everything goes well, we could bring back a MIAC Championship,” Kern said.