Photo courtesy of Photoworks The 2019 Marshall girls swimming and diving team includes front row (L to R): Olivia Williams, Reagan Brandt, Elizabeth Coudron, Emma Beavers, Alana Condezo and Alex Larson. Second row (L to R): Hailey Brandt, Maddie Larson, Lydia Hurst, Clara Bader and Alli Kopitski. Third row (L to R): Paige Milstead, Nyssa Bentz, Mary Lanoue, Brooklyn Gossen, Amelie Schmidtke, Kaylie Stucke and assistant coach Kathleen Deutz. Back row (L to R): Diving coach Blythe Zeug, Caroline Jugel, Mansi Bell, Holland Netzley, Tera Johnson, Jessica Wyffels, and head coach Nikki Axe-Bell.

MARSHALL – Last season, the Marshall swimming and diving team had seven seniors lead the way for another productive season for the program. Now, with a new group of promising newcomers joining forces with a pair of talented seniors set to lead the team in 2019, the expectations are understandably high for what the team can accomplish this season.

This year’s group will be led by senior captains Nyssa Bentz and Lydia Hurst, as well as fellow returners Kaylie Stucke and Clara Bader. Junior Amelie Schmidtke, a foreign exchange student from Germany, and seventh grader Alana Condezo will also be key contributors.

Fifth-year head coach Nikki Bell anticipates the team’s strength will come from their improvement in relays.

“Renewed strength in relays and attempting to qualify two relays for state in addition to individual qualifiers,” said Bell. “Our dive team competed in an early invitational and is diving with higher scores earlier in the season than ever before, which adds to our team score and ranking.”

Looking ahead to the season, Bell is looking forward to strong finishes at the true team meet in Hutchinson and section meet in Willmar.

“We are excited to place well at true team in Hutchinson on Oct. 5th and then move on to a strong Section meet in Willmar Nov. 7 and 9, and hope to have additional swims at state Nov. 14-16,” said Bell.

In addition to strong finishes, Bell is focused on seeing continued character growth and individual improvement throughout the season.

“Continued character growth and improved times (are our goals),” said Bell. “More podium appearances at true team sections and sections resulting in more state qualifiers.”