As we dive into the 21st season of coaching the Morris women’s swimming and diving team and the second season of the men’s team, it’s a thrilling time for our program. In just two years, the men’s team has already made its mark, clinching third place at the Liberal Arts Championship by a single point in their inaugural season. Meanwhile, the women’s team has consistently showcased its talent, achieving as high as second place at conference and regularly finishing in the top three.
Last year marked a significant transition for both teams. On the men’s side, we graduated Nathan Fronk, a key contributor who played a crucial role in three of our five relays and finished eighth in two individual events. Losing his experience and points is certainly a challenge as we continue to develop our squad. Fortunately, the women’s team did not graduate any athletes, allowing us to build upon our existing strengths.
For the upcoming season, I’m excited about several athletes poised to make an impact.
On the women’s team, I expect Shannon Dougherty and Lilly Radintz to elevate their
performance in sprint events and compete for conference titles. Seniors Abby Doyle and
Morgan Ball along with Junior Natalie West are also ready to have their best seasons yet. We have a promising group of sophomore athletes—Faith Hamm, Kennedy Olson, and Rita Erickson were all conference point scores—they are set to lead an enthusiastic freshman class into the Liberal Arts Championship.
On the men’s side, our top returning scorer, John Gulon, is eager to chase conference titles in multiple events. After a strong showing in their first conference meet last season, Louie Freeman, Jakob Linscheid, Max Lundgren, and Josh Meixell are ready to make significant strides. Senior John Slatinski V returns for his final season, bringing invaluable experience to the team.
This year, we welcomed eight new freshmen to both teams, pushing the men’s roster to 14 members in just our second season. Most of these newcomers are poised to contribute immediately, scoring points at conference and competing for spots on the A relays. It’s an exciting time as we expand our team and enhance our competitive depth.
When recruiting student-athletes, we seek individuals with positive attitudes who value education and want to be part of a team striving for excellence. The camaraderie within our program is evident, as highlighted by our athletes during last year’s end-of-season meeting. They expressed that our environment feels like family—supportive and inclusive. With the addition of the men’s team, the dynamic has shifted to a brother/sister feel that enhances our culture.
One of the standout features of our program is our location. Nestled in a rural area, we escape the hustle of city life, fostering a tight-knit community among our student-athletes. As the only public Division III team in Minnesota offering swimming and diving, our conference meets become special events, like last year’s trip to Indiana, which truly transforms the atmosphere.
Adding the men’s team has invigorated our program and positively impacted our team culture. The support from our school for swimming and diving—despite not being part of the conference that encompasses most other sports—has been remarkable. We are excited to see how our athletes will thrive in this supportive environment, creating a legacy that reflects hard work, dedication, and the spirit of community.
As we embark on this new season, we are filled with anticipation and pride. With our experienced athletes and promising newcomers, we look forward to what lies ahead for the Morris swimming and diving teams. Together, we will continue to build on our successes and strive for excellence.