2025 Girls High School Preview: Section 8A

Section 8A

Teams in the Section
Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Fosston Bagley, Morris-Minnewaska, Park Rapids, Perham-New York Mills, Thief River Falls, Warroad-Roseau-Greenbush-Middle River


2024 Section Champion – Park Rapids – 422.5
2024 Section Runner Up – Fergus Falls – 402

Notable Graduates

  • Addison Lauwagie (Park Rapids) – 50 Free (5th sections), 100 Fly (2nd sections)
  • Nora Cederstrom (Park Rapids) – 100 Fly (8th sections)
  • Mylee Edevold (Park Rapids) – 200 IM (4th sections), 100 Fly (5th sections)
  • Allie Rowland (Park Rapids) – Diving (1st sections/16th State)
  • McKenzie Himango (Park Rapids) – 200 IM (2nd sections), 100 Breast (3rd sections)
  • Karlie Petersen (Fergus Falls) – 100 Breast (2nd sections)
  • Mayah Fear (Fergus Falls) – 50 Free (8th sections)
  • Alexis Wellman (Fergus Falls) – 200 Free (6th sections), 100 Free (6th sections)
  • Becca Femrite (Morris-Minnewaska) – 500 Free (4th sections)
  • Melena Longtin (Morris-Minnewaska) – 50 Free (3rd sections), 100 Free (2nd sections)
  • Hope Hamm (Detroit Lakes) – Diving (2nd sections/9th State)
  • Liberty Peterson (Detroit Lakes) – 500 Free (7th sections)
  • Haidyn Friborg (Fosston Bagley) – 100 Fly (3rd sections)
  • Elle McDonald (Perham-New York Mills) – 200 IM (8th sections), 100 Back (4th sections)

Section Outlook

Alexandria, who finished 3rd  last season, moves up to AA this cycle leaving some opportunities this season for the remaining 8 teams.

Park Rapids will once again field a powerful freestyle squad, led by Avery Schueller (section champ in the 100 free and 2nd in the 200) and Molly Cederstrom (5th in 200, 6th in 500).  Schueller scored an 11th place finish in the 200 and a 9th place finish in the 100 at state. Julia Grande added a 7th in the 200 Free and 8th in the 500 Free, and Lauren Hirt placed 8th in the 100 Breast. Whitney Seifert was 5th in the 100 Free and 6th in the 50, and Cassidy Grewe added backstroke points. The diving crew is anchored by Karlee Rowland (5th) and Grace Officer (7th).

Fergus Falls is poised for another deep run with a massive group of returning scorers. Estee VerSteeg returns as a senior after winning the 50 free and placing 3rd in the 100 free. Ace Api brings back top-4 finishes in both the 100 fly and 100 back, while Ella Kwapinski (3rd 200 IM) and Evelyn VerSteeg (5th 200 IM) add individual medley strength. Rylee Kubela scored in both sprints, and Hannah Fear was 5th in the 100 back. Elsa Bailly (8th), Xiomara Jacobson, and Alexis Thoma add points on the boards, and freshman Maeve Cox joins a growing distance group led by Olivia Jensen and Marissa Thoma.

Detroit Lakes brings back one of the section’s top young swimmers in Grace Hamm, who captured section titles in both the 100 fly and 500 free as an 8th grader.  Hamm would place 14th at State in the 100 Fly. Marian Martin returns as a senior breaststroke scorer, and Emily Peterson placed 7th in the 100 free and 6th in the 100 back. Sophia Karlgaard also scored in both back and sprint free, and freshman Evelyn Martin was 8th in the 100 back. The diving crew remains deep, led by junior Izabella Goodrich who placed 6th last season.

Morris-Minnewaska features top returners Lyla Stadtherr, the section champ in the 100 breast and runner-up in the 50 free, and diver Clare Barnstuble, who placed 3rd. Stadtherr placed 10th in the 100 Breast at the State meet. Ella Roering added a 4th-place diving finish, and Mesa Kittelson and Sydney Gibson each contributed scoring swims.

Perham-New York Mills will be led by distance freestyler Taylor Ziemke, who placed 3rd in the 500 and 4th in the 50 free. Elise Janke (8th in both 200 and 500), Megan Galbrecht, and Maggie Vickmark rounded out the free group. Jaelyn Rodewald scored in the 100 free and 200 IM, and freshman Livia Thibert placed 9th in the 100 Breast.

Thief River Falls is rebuilding but returns Shelby Holthusen and Faith Hartmann from last year’s top-16 in the 200 free, Livia Thibert in the 100 fly and 100 breast, and Natalia Zoller in sprint freestyle. Aniyah Fields added a 16th in the 200 IM.

Fosston Bagley returns Allison Carlin, who placed 16th in the 200 free and 15th in the 100 free, while Lillian Nelson and Maria Green added scoring depth in IM and backstroke.

WRGM junior Renn Ginther returns as the team’s top scorer from last year, placing top 16 in the 100 Free and bolstering the team’s free relays.

Scroll to Top