MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The St. Olaf College men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams got their showings at the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Swimming & Diving Championships under way on Wednesday evening at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center.
St. Olaf’s women’s 200-yard medley and 800-yard freestyle relays both turned in All-MIAC performances with their third-place finishes on the opening night of the four-day meet to put the Oles in a tie for third out of nine teams with 64 points. The Ole men finished the night in sixth of six teams with 58 points with two top-five relay finishes but had no qualifiers in the three-meter diving.
Sophomore Olivia Small, junior Alana Schmitzer, sophomore McKenna Hultgren, and junior Katie Homme started the night by holding off two other teams by less than three-tenths of a second to place third in the 200-yard medley relay (1:46.27). Small and Homme were both part of the Oles’ All-MIAC quartet in the event for the second year in a row.
Later, sophomore Sawyer Eastman, sophomore McKelvey McDaniel, Schmitzer, and senior Paige Steenblock took third in the 800-yard freestyle relay (7:51.17) to post St. Olaf’s second All-MIAC finish of the night.
For the men, senior Aiden Yung, senior Nick Starcevich, junior Jack Homme, and junior Luke Williams claimed Honorable Mention All-MIAC honors with a fourth-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay (1:34.34), finishing less than two-tenths of a second out of second place. Sophomore Travis Elling, first year Eoin Porrata, Williams, and Yung were fifth in the 800-yard freestyle relay (7:11.14) with an eight-second improvement on their seed time.
Day two of the meet will begin with a prelims session at 10:30 a.m. followed by a finals session at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12.
St. Olaf College, home to the Oles, is a small private liberal arts college located in beautiful Northfield, Minnesota. The St. Olaf Swim and Dive team, led by Head Coach Bob Hauck, competes DIII in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). When it comes to recruiting, Hauck prioritizes attitude, work ethic, and accountability, seeking athletes who are goal-oriented and team-focused. “Our program’s culture is centered on family,” Hauck says. “It’s a welcoming, supportive environment that’s both encouraging and challenging.” This close-knit team culture, along with a rich history and supportive coaching staff, has helped to create a unique space where athletes not only compete at high levels but also form lifelong bonds. Hauck invites student-athletes who are excited for a rewarding college experience—where academics, swimming, and diving work in harmony. He looks for well-rounded individuals who are ready to contribute to St. Olaf’s long-standing tradition of excellence. “If you’re looking for a program with history, support, and the chance to develop into the best version of yourself, St. Olaf is the place to be,” he says.