Allison Fajt – Staff Writer

The women’s swim team took second place at the MIAC conference meet this weekend at the University of Minnesota’s Jean K. Aquatics Center. While St. Kate’s took first place, it was still a successful event because so many of the Gusties qualified for Nationals. The women’s team accumulated 714 points at the end of the meet, only 95 points behind St. Kate’s.
“We went in with the goal that we wanted to do our very best and of course try to win our conference. Everyone swam super well; we tapered so our times would improve from our normal season and on both the women’s and men’s sides everyone just did spectacular,” First-year Mikalya Witte said.
The team was able to compete fiercely as well as have a good time throughout the meet making sure they each swam their best by the end of the event. The women always made sure to make each other feel a part of a team even while swimming individually.
“It was a super fun meet, it was I think the most fun meet I have ever been to. The atmosphere was so amazing and electric because since not all of the team was swimming at it they all came to cheer and we had about like three times as many fans and teammates in the stands as any other team and it was just the best atmosphere I’ve ever seen at a meet,” Sophomore Lucy Peterson said.
The Gusties stayed energetic throughout the entire weekend and constantly cheered each other on. The team was very pleased with their performances and their teammate’s throughout the weekend. “The atmosphere of the meet was unbelievable and that’s definitely what made it so fun and how everyone was able to swim so successfully just because all of our teammates were there to support us,” Peterson said.
“We competed very well. All of our swimmers, girls and guys, I’d say at least got one personal best time throughout the four day meet and that’s pretty inspiring to see because when that many people get best times it just shows how good of a team we are and even though our times were already fast before we just got faster,” Junior Ellen Hofstede said.
The swimmers did well in many events; they placed third in the 200 Yard Medley Relay with Witte, Sophomore Leah Soukup, Hofstede, and Peterson. A team made up of Witte, First-year Allison Gilles, Junior Annika Jones, and First-year Marit Isaacson also placed third in their relay event the 800 Yard Freestyle.
Unfortunately the season has ended for those who didn’t compete at the MIAC or qualify for nationals yet, they still get to look forward to next year’s season as well as cheering their teammates on at nationals.
“I am looking forward to, well it’s going to be super cool when we get our new freshman in too so I’m excited for that and since I had to go through that myself I can help others and also I’m just super excited to see where the team goes again next year,” Witte said.
“Personally I did really awesome. I got personal bests in all of my events. I’m currently third in the 100 free nationally and 11th in the 50 free so that’s pretty cool. My relay is 5th in the nation right now which is super awesome so I’m very excited for nationals,” Hofstede said.
Hofstede qualified for multiple events at nationals and other Gusties who also qualified for nationals were a relay team including Hofstede, Junior Abby Yartz, Isaacson and Peterson. As well as Sophomore Kaja Pratt and Sophomore Emmalyn Dickerson for diving.
“I’d say the goal for the 200 free relay probably would be to stay in that top 8 final which would be really cool and for my individuals I’d like to get top 8 in the 1500 and possibly win the 100 but I’m not gonna push it on that and the 200 free would be my bonus event so hoping to get in the top 16 for that,” Hofstede said.
The qualifiers will have plenty of time to practice and prepare for their meet at the National Championship in March at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana.