Teams: Bemidji, Brainerd, Buffalo, Elk River, Moorhead, Rogers, Sartell St- Stephen, Sauk Rapids-Rice, St. Michael-Albertville
- 2023 Section Champion: Sartell-St. Stephen – 389 pts
- 2023 Section Runner-up: Brainerd – 363 pts
Notable Graduates:
- Sienna Albjerg (Sartell) – 100 Free (7th Sections), 100 Back (5th Sections)
- Madeline Francois (Sartell) – 50 Free (1st Sections/7th State), 100 Free (3rd Sections)
- Megann Jobin (Sartell) – 200 Free (5th Sections), 500 Free (4th Sections)
- Lily Larson (Sartell) – 50 Free (8th Sections), 100 Free (8th Sections)
- Holly Lenarz (Sartell) – 200 IM (2nd Sections/8th State), 500 Free (1st Sections/3rd State)
- Kaitlyn Lysen (Sartell) – 50 Free (5th Sections), 100 Free (5th Sections)
- Scarlett Anderson (Brainerd) – 200 Free (7th Sections), 500 Free (7th Sections)
- Autumn Larson (Brainerd) – 100 Fly (6th Sections)
- Gabrielle Odegard (Elk River) – 100 Free (4th Sections), 100 Back (2nd Sections/13th State)
- Olivia Seward (Elk River) – 200 Free (8th Sections), 100 Free (6th Sections)
- Alayna Janke (Moorhead) – 200 Free (1st Sections), 100 Fly (2nd Sections)
- Mya Smith (Buffalo) – 50 Free (4th Sections), 100 Fly (9th Sections)
- Sophia Markfelder (Sauk Rapids Rice) – Diving (3rd Sections/16th State)
Team Outlook
Sartell- St. Stephen and Brainerd have battled it out over the last few years. It was Brainerd in 2022 and Sartell in 2023.
Sartell- St. Stephen graduated a large and talented class last year and will be looking for its younger athletes to take the next step. Leading the way will be senior Joslynn Stewart. Stewart placed 5th in the 200 Free and 4th in the 100 Fly last season. Freshman Tori Carlson also showed promise in 2023 with a 9th place finish in the 200 IM and a 3rd place finish in the 500 Free. Freshman Mckenna Searcy scored a 7th place finish in the 100 Back last year and sophomore Mara Segura placed 5th in the 100 Breast.
In 2024, it’s Brainerd’s turn to have a high-powered senior class, featuring Linda Giuliana, Mya Tautges, and Brynn Haapajoki. Giuliana was section champion in the 100 Fly and 3rd in the 100 Back, Tautges was section champion in the 100 Free and 2nd in the 50 Free and Haapajoki added a top 8 finish in the 100 Breast.   At the state meet, Giuliana placed 8th in the 100 Fly and Tautges placed 14th in the 100 Free. Brainerd has some scoring juniors as well. Avery Duerr was section champion in the 100 Breast and placed 3rd in the 200 IM. At the state meet, she placed 8th in the 100 Breast. Isabelle Ploof was section runner up in the 100 Free and placed 3rd in the 50 Free. Finally, sophomore Aralyn Marcello finished 3rd in the 200 Free and 6th in the 500 Free last season.
Other Notables
Elk River returns their top three divers from last season. Juniors Madilyn Tucker and Alyssa Fleahman placed 4th and 5th respectively, while junior Hailey Beck finished 7th. On the swimming side, freshman Sophia Gilbertson returns after landing 4th place finishes in the 200 IM and 100 Breast.
St. Michael-Albertville will feature Class AA Girls athlete of the year senior Lily Van Heel. Van Heel was section and state champion in both the 200 IM and 100 Back. Fellow senior Hailey Riley will also be a factor in the section after placing 3rd in the 100 Fly and 2nd in the 100 Breast in 2023. Junior Addison Thompson-Klimpke was section runner up in the 500 Free and placed 3rd in the section in the 200 Free. STMA divers faired well last season, with seniors Kennedy Clements and Julia Robinson placing 1st and 2nd in 2023.
Moorhead will be led by sophomore Madisen Schue this season. Shue placed 6th in the 200 IM and 10th in the 100 Breast last year. Junior Olivia Roaldson added to their point total last year with a 4th place finish in the 100 Back.
Sauk Rapids-Rice junior Ally Lucas will be the top returning point scorer this season for the squad. Lucas placed 4th in the 200 Free and 8th in the 100 Back. Sophomore diver Esme Grabinski returns after a 6th place finish last season.
Bemidji juniors Abigail Daman and Ryan Gaskins had a nice section meet in 2023. Daman placed 9th in the 100 Free and 6th in the 100 Breast, while Gaskins finished 12th in the 200 Free and 8th in the 500 Free. Senior diver Kennedy Olson earned an 8th place finish last season and will be looking to challenge for one of the top 4 spots in 2024.
Rogers junior Riley Grittner and freshman Emerson Patker will be the top returns from 2023. Grittner finished just outside the top 8 in the sprint frees last year with a 9th place finish in the 50 Free and 10th in the 100 Free. Patker was 11th in the 50 Free and placed 9th in the 500 Free.