MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict swim and dive team made an emphatic statement to open the MIAC Championships on Wednesday night, delivering a school-record performance and capturing a conference title at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota.
The Bennies won the 200-medley relay and added a sixth-place finish in the 800-free relay to total 66 team points after the opening day. CSB sits in second place overall, just four points behind conference leader Gustavus Adolphus (70).
History was made in the 200-medley relay as the quartet of junior Mary Morris (St. Cloud, Minn.), senior Megan Bartels (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), junior Haley Zelen (Shakopee, Minn.) and first-year Anna Schottler (Chanhassen, Minn.) shattered the school record. The Bennies touched the wall in 1:44.45 — more than three seconds faster than the previous record set in 2024 — to secure the MIAC title.
The victory marked CSB’s first conference championship in the medley relay since 1998, when Katie Olson, Noelle Petrson, Courtney Remes and Deanne Siverson stood atop the podium. The win also added to the program’s history, giving the Bennies 49 MIAC titles overall, including 10 relay championships.
Later in the evening, CSB added valuable team points in the 800-free relay. The team of senior Morgan Stout (Des Moines, Iowa), junior Jayda Alholm (Little Falls, Minn.), first-year Maddie Brynda (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and senior Lauren Sitzman (Omaha, Neb.) posted a season-best time of 8:08.95 to finish sixth, contributing 26 championship points.
The MIAC Championships continue Thursday with prelims beginning at 10:30 a.m. and finals at 6:30 p.m. Events on deck include the 500 freestyle, 200 IM, 50 freestyle and one-meter diving as the Bennies look to build on their strong start.
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.