MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict swim and dive team continued its record-setting run Friday at the 2026 MIAC Championship inside the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center, powered by a pair of individual titles from junior Haley Zelen (Shakopee, Minn.) and junior Mary Morris (St. Cloud, Minn.), along with another dominant relay victory.
Through three days of competition, the Bennies have totaled seven All-MIAC performances and sit in fifth place with 300 points. Gustavus leads the team standings with 520 points. CSB has now claimed six individual or relay titles, broken five records (3 school, MIAC, meet) and produced 11 top 10 marks in program history.
Zelen added to her remarkable championship with her second individual crown (50 freestyle) of the week, capturing the 100 butterfly in record-breaking fashion. The junior standout touched the wall in 54.10 to shatter the MIAC, meet and school records. She eclipsed her own previous school mark of 54.72 and broke the conference record of 55.25 set by Mariann Kukielka of St. Thomas in 2014. Zelen, who had an NCAA invite time and the second fastest clocking in DIII this year, became the first CSB swimmer since Gretchen Weber in 2000 to win the 100 butterfly at the MIAC Championships and just the seventh in program history. She has also been part of three winning relays during the meet.
Morris followed with a championship swim of her own in the 200 freestyle, winning the title in 1:54.24. It marks the first time since Weber in 1999 that a Bennie has won the event at the conference meet. Morris’ time ranks second all-time at CSB, trailing only Ana Birklid’s 1:54.05 from 2022.
Zelen and Morris teamed up with first-year Addie Marsolek (Lakeville, Minn.) and first-year Anna Schottler (Chanhassen, Minn.) to deliver another historic performance in the 200-freestyle relay. The quartet won the title in a school-record 1:35.76, breaking the previous mark of 1:36.65 set in 2016. It is the first time since 2000 that CSB has won the 200 free relay at the MIAC Championships and the sixth time overall. The Bennies have now claimed three of the four relays contested at this year’s meet.
Senior Lauren Sitzman (Omaha, Neb.) turned in a career-best performance in the 100 backstroke, placing seventh in 59.17 — a time that ranks sixth in program history. Sophomore Josie Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.) added points in the event with a 16th-place finish in a personal-best 1:02.29.
Schottler continued her strong meet in the 200 freestyle, winning the “B” final with a personal-best 1:56.44 to place ninth overall and earn nine MIAC points. Her swim ranks sixth in CSB history.
In the 100 breaststroke, first-year Bella Kern (Delano, Minn.) finished 10th in a personal-best 1:08.11, collecting seven team points while moving into ninth all-time at CSB. Senior Megan Bartels (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) placed 13th in 1:09.50 after posting a season-best 1:08.89 in prelims.
The Bennies added points in the 400 IM as Claire Canfield (Waconia, Minn.) recorded a season-best 4:55.84 for 12th place, and Jayda Alholm (Little Falls, Minn.) placed 16th in 5:03.02 after a season-best 5:02.98 in prelims.
CSB’s depth in the 100 butterfly was also on display. First-year Josey Larson (Hastings, Minn.) placed 12th in a personal-best 1:00.70, while Marsolek finished 14th in a personal-best 1:01.85. First-year Madeline Tillmann (St. Michael, Minn.) was 17th in 1:03.33 and first-year Isabella Anderson (Austin, Texas) placed 19th in 1:03.61.
In additional 200 freestyle swims, Sitzman placed 20th in a season-best 2:00.92. Senior Morgan Stout was 22nd in 2:02.37, and first-year Maddie Brynda (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) finished 25th with a season-best 2:03.47.
The MIAC Championships conclude Saturday with the 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, 3-meter diving and the 400 freestyle relay still to come.
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.