BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — It was a championship meet to remember for the College of Saint Benedict swim and dive team.
After piling up 467 points — the program’s highest total since 2011-12 (478) — and winning eight conference titles, the Bennies saw their success recognized by the MIAC. Two individuals brought home major awards from the MIAC, highlighting a historic year for the program. In total, CSB had a combined 13 All-MIAC (10) and honorable mention All-MIAC (3) honors, which is the most by CSB since 1998-99 (13).
In her seventh season at CSB, head coach Mandy Wolvert was named MIAC Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year for the first time. Wolvert guided the Bennies to a fifth-place team finish and her team compiled 18 program top-10 marks. Under her leadership, CSB has now secured six top-six finishes, including back-to-back fifth-place finishes in 2021-22 (430 points) and 2022-23 (361 points), and again in 2025-26 (467 points). Her team also set eight total records, including six school marks, at the MIAC Championships.
The championship meet marked a milestone moment — CSB crowned its first-ever MIAC Swimmer of the Year in the same season Wolvert earned the program’s first Coach of the Year honor.
Junior Haley Zelen (Shakopee, Minn.) delivered a performance for the ages. Capturing three individual MIAC titles — including one in record-breaking fashion — she became the first Bennie in program history to be named MIAC Swimmer of the Year. Zelen, who earned MIAC Athlete of the Week honors six times during the season, finished with seven All-MIAC distinctions and contributed to four record-setting relays, three of which claimed conference titles.
Her dominance began in the 50 freestyle, where she clocked a 23.18 to become just the second Bennie ever to win the event. She followed with a victory in the 100 freestyle, touching in an NCAA invite time of 50.99 — the first conference title in program history for CSB in that event. Zelen added a third individual crown in the 100 butterfly, posting a school, MIAC and meet record time of 54.10 — a mark that currently ranks second in NCAA Division III this season.
She also powered four relays to record-setting performances: the championship 200 free relay (1:35.76 – school record), 200 medley relay (1:44.45 – school record), and 400 medley relay (3:51.91 – school record), along with the runner-up 400 free relay (3:31.36 – school record).
In addition to Zelen’s accomplishments, several Bennies delivered All-MIAC performances highlighted by record-breaking swims and top-10 program marks.
Junior Mary Morris (St. Cloud, Minn.) captured two individual MIAC titles, including a school-record performance of 2:03.47 in the 200 backstroke. She also won the 200 freestyle in 1:54.24 — a time that ranks second in program history. Morris, alongside Zelen and first-year Anna Schottler (Chanhassen, Minn.), competed on all four All-MIAC relay teams.
Schottler made an immediate impact in her first season, earning All-MIAC honors with a runner-up finish in the 50 freestyle with her time of 23.81 ranking third in school history. She added honorable mention All-MIAC recognition in the 100 freestyle, placing fourth in 52.67 — also third all-time at CSB.
First-year Addie Marsolek (Lakeville, Minn.) contributed to the school-record-setting 200 freestyle relay, while junior Jayda Alholm (Little Falls, Minn.) was a member of the record-setting, second-place 400 freestyle relay team.
Senior Megan Bartels earned All-MIAC honors as part of both the 400 medley relay and the 200 medley relay, with each squad establishing new school records.
In addition, sophomore Josey Larson (Hastings, Minn.) placed sixth in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:13.59 — a mark that ranks sixth all-time at CSB. Senior Lauren Sitzman (Omaha, Neb.) finished sixth in the 200 backstroke in 2:09.70, while her preliminary swim of 2:09.69 ranks eighth all-time in program history.
All-MIAC
The top three finishers in each event at the 2026 MIAC Swimming and Diving Championships received All-Conference honors, while individual finishers 4-6 and the fourth-place relay team earned honorable mention distinction.
50 freestyle – Haley Zelen, 1st, 23.18; Anna Schottler, 23.81 (3rd all-time at CSB)
100 butterfly – Haley Zelen, 1st, 54.10 (school, MIAC, meet record – No. 2 in DIII)
100 freestyle – Haley Zelen, 50.99 (NCAA INV)
200 freestyle – Mary Morris (St. Cloud, Minn.), 1st, 1:54.24 (2nd all-time, CSB)
200 backstroke – Mary Morris, 1st, 2:03.47 (school record)
400 freestyle relay – 2nd – Haley Zelen, Mary Morris, Anna Schottler, Jayda Alholm, 3:31.36 (school record)
200 freestyle relay – 1st, Haley Zelen, Mary Morris, Addie Marsolek, Anna Schottler, 1:35.76 (school record)
400 medley relay – 1st, Haley Zelen, Mary Morris, Anna Schottler, Megan Bartels, 3:51.91 (school record)
200 medley relay – 1st, Haley Zelen, Mary Morris, Megan Bartels, Anna Schottler, 1:44.45 (school record)
Honorable Mention All-MIAC
100 freestyle – Anna Schottler, 4th, 52.67 (3rd all-time, CSB)
200 butterfly – Josey Larson, sixth, 2:13.59 (sixth all-time, CSB)
200 backstroke – Lauren Sitzman, sixth, 2:09.70 (2:09.69, prelims – 8th all-time, CSB)
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.