2025 Girls High School Preview: Section 7A

Section 7A

Teams in the Section
Chisholm, Cloquet‑Esko‑Carlton, Duluth Denfeld, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, International Falls, Mesabi East, Northeast Range‑Ely, Proctor‑Hermantown, Rock Ridge, Stella Maris Academy, Two Harbors


2024 Section Champion: Mesabi East – 398 pts
2024 Section Runner-up: Grand Rapids – 341.5 pts

Notable Graduates

  • Adeline Butzke (Mesabi East) – 200 Free (7th sections), 500 Free (4th sections)
  • Summer Cullen (Mesabi East) – 100 Back (2nd sections), 100 Free (8th sections)
  • Ashley Fossell (Mesabi East) – 100 Breast (6th sections), 50 Free (7th sections)
  • Jaezreel Johnson (Mesabi East) – 1m Diving (5th sections)
  • Kerbie Olmstead (Mesabi East) – 50 Free (8th sections)
  • Aubree Skelton (Mesabi East) – 50 Free (4th sections), 100 Free (4th sections)
  • Kyra Skelton (Mesabi East) – 200 IM (5th sections), 100 Fly (3rd sections)
  • Emily Ericson (Grand Rapids) – 100 Free (1st sections)
  • Gentry Byers (Grand Rapids) – 100 Breast (8th sections)
  • Nevaeh Hoard (Grand Rapids) – 200 Free (3rd sections), 100 Free (2nd sections)
  • Sylvie Ledermann (Grand Rapids) – 100 Back (3rd sections), 100 Free (6th sections)
  • Rilee Durovec (Cloquet-Esko-Carlton) – 1m Diving (1st sections/8th State)
  • Julia Peterson (Cloquet-Esko-Carlton) – 100 Back (5th sections), 100 Fly (6th sections)
  • Sylvie Wetzel (Hibbing) – 1m Diving (4th sections)
  • Kieren Ford (International Falls) – 1m Diving (6th sections)
  • Anna Larson (Northeast Range-Ely) – 100 Fly (8th sections)
  • Megan Gunderson (Proctor-Hermantown) – 500 Free (5th sections)
  • Norah Gunderson (Proctor-Hermantown) – 200 IM (1st sections), 100 Breast (1st sections/13th State)

    Section Outlook

    Mesabi East returns a powerful core and will look to defend their title in 2025. Junior Mae Layman was a force last year, placing 3rd in the 200 IM and 5th in the 100 Butterfly. She’ll be joined by junior Dallas Layman, who took 5th in the 50 Freestyle, and sophomore Micah Layman, 5th in the 100 Breaststroke. Distance depth comes from sophomore Olivia Prazak, who finished 6th in the 500 Freestyle, and junior Lily Larson, who was 8th in that same event.

    Grand Rapids, last year’s runner-up, also brings back key talent. Junior Lauren Rauzi had a breakout meet, finishing 2nd in the 100 Breaststroke and 4th in the 200 IM. Junior Kennedy Garner returns after placing 3rd in diving. Senior Marlene Ericson finished 4th in the 100 Back, and sophomore Ava Goodman added an 8th place in the same event.

    Rock Ridge boasts one of the most well-rounded lineups in the section. Sophomore Paige Robillard returns after taking 5th in the 200 Freestyle and winning the 500 Freestyle. She’s joined by freshman Samantha Bartovich, who placed 4th in the 200 Freestyle and 2nd in the 500 Freestyle. Eighth grader Amelia Kober was a double podium finisher, taking 3rd in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle, while freshman Maddison Husmann added a 4th in the 100 Breaststroke.

    Two Harbors is led by freshman Bella Imholte, who swept the 200 Freestyle and 100 Back titles. At the state meet, she placed 6th in the 200 Free and 8th in the 100 Back. She’ll be joined by 8th grader MJ Wharton, who placed 6th in the 100 Back, and junior Harper Smith, who finished 8th in diving.

    Hibbing has strong all-around depth. Senior Raini Gibson won the 100 Butterfly and 50 Free and placed 12th and 14th respectively at the state meet.  Junior Riley St. George finished 6th in the 200 IM and 4th in the 100 Butterfly. Senior Naomi Ronning returns after placing 8th in the 200 Freestyle and 3rd in the 500 Freestyle. Junior Evie Renskers will add points on the board with a 7th-place finish in diving.

    Stella Maris Academy features top-end youth talent. Freshman Eleanor Enslin was runner-up in both the 200 Freestyle and 100 Butterfly, while fellow freshman Ella Stone placed 3rd in the 100 Breaststroke.

    Proctor-Hermantown returns 8th grader Laney Gunderson, who took 7th in both the 200 IM and 100 Butterfly. Freshman Samantha Herron was also strong, finishing 6th in the 200 Freestyle and 5th in the 100 Freestyle.

    Duluth Denfeld will look to climb the standings behind freshman Gabby Anderson, who was 2nd in the 200 IM and 7th in the 100 Back. Senior Claire Roufs finished 2nd in diving, while senior Natalie Sheff took 7th in the 100 Breaststroke.

    Cloquet-Esko-Carlton returns senior Nattie Butler, who placed 6th in the 50 Freestyle and 7th in the 100 Freestyle.

    International Falls is represented by freshman Sylvia Valenzuela, who placed 8th in the 200 IM and 9th in the 100 Fly

    Northeast Range-Ely’s top returner is freshman Via DeBeltz, who finished 7th in the 500 Freestyle.

    Chisholm will look to replace the section points lost by the graduation of Magie Nelson who scored 7 points for the team last year.

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