BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Junior Haley Zelen (Shakopee, Minn.) of the College of Saint Benedict swim and dive team put together another record-setting performance, earning Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Swimming Athlete of the Week honors after four wins and three pool records in a dual with Carleton.
The latest accolade marks the sixth MIAC weekly award of Zelen’s career, the most by any swimmer in CSB program history. During the 2025–26 season alone, she has been recognized by the league six times (Oct. 14, Oct. 21, Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Dec. 9, 2025, and Jan. 27, 2026). It is the 24th MIAC weekly honor earned by a CSB swim and dive athlete all-time, and Zelen also picked up her fourth The House / St. Cloud Orthopedics CSB Athlete of the Week award.
Zelen powered CSB in its dual against Carleton, narrowly falling, 154–146, by winning four events and contributing to three pool records. She captured two individual victories in record-setting fashion and swam on two winning relays, including another pool-record performance.
She set the tone early by breaking the pool record in the 100 freestyle with a time of 51.82. Zelen followed that effort with another pool mark in the 100 breaststroke, touching the wall in 1:05.16. The swim was a personal best and now ranks second all-time in CSB history, just behind Katie Kuhlman’s school record of 1:04.58 set in 2000.
Zelen also played a key role in the record-setting 200 medley relay, which took first place in 1:48.35. That time ranks fifth all-time at CSB. She teamed up with junior Mary Morris (St. Cloud, Minn.), Bartels, and first-year Anna Schottler (Chanhassen, Minn.) on the winning relay. CSB added another relay victory in the 200 freestyle relay, as Zelen joined Morris, first-year Lydia Jostock (Delano, Minn.), and Schottler to post a winning time of 1:39.71.
Already this season, Zelen has recorded three NCAA Division III “B” cut times. She has set CSB records in the 50 freestyle (23.07), 100 butterfly (54.72), and 100 freestyle (50.79), while also ranking second all-time in the 100 breaststroke. In addition, she has been part of two relays — the 400 medley relay (3:57.80) and the 400 freestyle relay (3:34.00) — with both times ranking second all-time in program history.
Zelen and the Bennies will have one final tune-up before postseason competition when they travel to Minneapolis, Minn., for the Minnesota First Chance Meet on Feb. 6–7, ahead of the MIAC Championships scheduled for Feb. 11–14.
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.