Swimming and diving prepare for Minn. Challenge

The University of South Dakota men and women’s swimming and dive team are hoping to make a splash in the state of 10,000 lakes and at the Minnesota Challenge.

They will participate Feb. 8 in this final meet before the Summit League Championships.

The Summit League championships will be held between Feb. 20-23 in Rochester, Mich. at the Oakland University Aquatic Center.

Throughout the season both teams have proved to be contenders and are hoping to get hot at the perfect time. A good meet in Minnesota would give the team some nice momentum.

Head coach Jason Mahowald said he is satisfied with how both teams have come along throughout the season, even with the amount of underclassmen.

“Our men have done really well considering how young we are, and the women have been steady all year, with the exception of a couple rough patches,” Mahowald said. “Across the board all of our classes have done a great job of stepping up.”

Coming off tough losses for the men and women’s squad against North Dakota State on Jan. 26, with USD losing (173-127) and (163-137) respectively, the swimmers are hoping to make a statement before the final meet of the year.

USD sophomore Cassie Kimmes believes the teams need to focus on the little things in the time leading up to the final meet.

“You can’t control what the other swimmers do,” Kimmes said. “So, we just need to focus on the little things that we need to do right.”

Sophomore Colin Krysl reiterated Kimmes emphasis on fine tuning the little things.

“If you haven’t put the work in all season, you can’t expect to do well now,” Krysl said. “The few things you can work on are the small technicalities—like our turns, starts and, personally, my relay exchanges.”

According to Mahowald, the Minnesota Challenge will feature individuals who won’t be competing in the Summit League Championships and members that may need some fine-tuning in some events.

McKenzie Shroyer, who will be participating in Minnesota Challenge, hopes to showcase what she is capable of.

“I personally want to go out, set some good times, focus and swim well.”

Heading into the conference championships coach Mahowald hopes to turn heads and see his swimmers and divers do well.

“We have a lot of kids that are going to surprise people. I believe Colin [Krysl] will turn some fast times and have the opportunity to play spoiler. Shannon [Morceri] is poised to go out and win a conference title if everything works out,” Mahowald said. “And we’ll look for a lot of our new names to do well, as well.”