ST. JOSEPH, Minn. — Week after week, Haley Zelen of the College of Saint Benedict swim and dive team keeps raising the bar — and lowering times while setting records.
The College of Saint Benedict junior delivered another standout performance in the pool, earning The House/St. Cloud Orthopedics CSB Athlete of the Week honor after setting yet another program record and claiming four event wins.
The Shakopee, Minn., native continued her remarkable streak at a double dual meet against St. Catherine and St. Olaf, where she won or contributed to four victories. For the fourth consecutive week, Zelen rewrote the CSB record book, lowering her own program mark in the 100-yard butterfly to 56.47 seconds, besting the 56.68 she set just a week earlier.
Her day didn’t stop there. Zelen also captured titles in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.76) now the fourth-fastest time in CSB history — and the 50 freestyle (24.25), narrowly missing her season-best of 23.97. To cap off her stellar meet, she joined teammates Anna Schottler, Mary Morris, and Josey Larson to take first in the 400-freestyle relay, finishing in 3:40.29.
So far this season, Zelen has been part of 16 event wins, including 14 individual victories. She’s broken five records, reset the 100-butterfly mark four times, and recorded nine top 10 times in CSB program history.
Zelen and the Saint Benedict swim and dive team will look to continue their momentum when they travel to face Wisconsin-La Crosse in a dual meet on Saturday, Nov. 8
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.