ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict swim and dive team put on a dominant display at home this weekend, winning 14 of 16 events en route to a commanding team victory over four other schools. With standout performances up and down the lineup — including a record-breaking day from junior Haley Zelen — the Bennies racked up 811 points to finish comfortably ahead of Minnesota-Morris (620), Hamline (314), Concordia (207.5), and Augsburg (141.5).
At the heart of the team’s success was Zelen, who continued her stellar start to the season with four event wins, including breaking her own school record in the 100 butterfly. After setting the mark at 57.09 just last week at the St. Kate’s Invite, she lowered it again to 57.07 on Saturday.
But she didn’t stop there.
Zelen also took first in the 50 freestyle with a blistering time of 23.97, a mark that now ranks third all-time in CSB history — narrowly edging out the 23.98 set by Kristen Beste in 2012. She later clocked 52.90 to win the 100 freestyle, again posting the third-fastest time in program history. In just two meets this season, Zelen has already broken three school records and tallied multiple top-three all-time performances.
Zelen’s impact was also felt on the relays. She helped lead the 200 medley relay team of Lauren Sitzman, Megan Bartels, and Anna Schottler to first place in 1:53.19. CSB didn’t just win the event — they swept the top three spots, with relay squads finishing second (1:57.93) and third (2:01.00). The Bennies also captured the 200 freestyle relay, winning in 1:45.70 with a team of Schottler, Maddie Modjeski, Addie Marsolek, and Jayda Alholm. CSB also had teams place third, fourth and five in the relay.
Schottler picked up her first collegiate win in the 200 freestyle, finishing in 2:03.18, while Alholm followed in second at 2:10.75. Schottler also finished second in the 100 freestyle (55.38), part of a strong sprint group.
Megan Bartels had a standout meet of her own, claiming three event wins — two individual and one relay. She took first in the 200 breaststroke (2:39.64), leading a 1-2-3 finish with Bella Kern and Lydia Jostock close behind. Bartels also won the 200 IM in 2:24.85, as the Bennies swept the top five places in that event.
In the backstroke events, Sitzman topped the field in the 200 back with a time of 2:21.52, with sophomore Ava Niksich finishing second. Josie Thomas added a runner-up finish in the 100 backstroke (1:05.28), and Maddie Stutelberg placed fifth.
Distance specialist Morgan Stout added two wins to her resume, dominating both the 1,000 freestyle (11:45.29) and the 500 freestyle (5:40.72). In both events, the Bennies secured multiple top-four finishes, with Izzy Green and Maddie Brynda placing third and fourth in the 1,000, and Josey Larson finishing second in the 500.
In the butterfly events, first-year Isabella Anderson made her mark with a second-place finish in the 100 (1:05.40), while Larson took first in the 200 butterfly (2:18.46), with Maddie Tillmann taking third.
CSB’s breaststroke depth was also on full display, as Kern, Jostock, and Anderson — swept the podium in the 100 breaststroke, led by Kern’s 1:14.39.
On the diving boards, Emma Netland and Abby Stevens went 1-2 in the 3-meter event, with Netland edging Stevens by just four-tenths of a point (160.70 to 160.30). On the 1-meter board, Netland was third (161.75), and Stevens finished fourth (150.85).
The Bennies will look to carry this momentum into their next competition — a dual meet against Macalester on October 25 in St. Paul.
Nestled in the heart of beautiful St. Joseph, Minnesota, the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) Swimming program has proudly celebrated over 50 years of competitive excellence. The Bennies have built a tradition rooted in Courage, Strength, and Boldness (CSB) —values that guide them in the pool, the classroom, and throughout our community. What sets CSB Swimming apart is its unique collaboration with Saint John’s University: Bennie swimmers train together on the CSB campus, yet compete alongside the Johnnies, creating a dynamic and supportive environment that’s both competitive and community-driven. Throughout its history, CSB Swimming has produced 12 NCAA Division III All-Americans, a testament to the team’s relentless pursuit of excellence. Equally impressive is the Bennies’ academic success—achieving 18 consecutive years as a CSCAA Scholar All-America Team. This dual commitment to athletics and academics reflects the high-achieving nature of the student-athletes who wear the Bennie cap. With a strong legacy and an even stronger future, Bennies continue to inspire, lead, and push the limits.