MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State University women’s swimming & diving team opens its season on Friday in Aberdeen, S.D., for the Northern State Relay Meet with Northern State and Concordia-St. Paul.

Competition begins at 5:30 p.m. with 18 Mustangs competing. Friday’s meet begins the fourth season for the SMSU program at the Division II level since starting the program in May of 2018. Fourth-year head coach Marty Wahle has 24 individuals on the 2021-22 roster with two senior, four juniors, 11 sophomores and five freshmen.

SMSU junior swimmer Natalie Bohnert earned All-NSIC accolades last season in the 200-yard backstroke for the third straight season in the 2022 NSIC Championships. She has also earned All-NSIC honors in the 100-yard backstroke in both 2020 and 2021. Bohnert and Sarah McDonald were both named an NSIC “Athlete to Watch” this season.

SMSU was selected to finish sixth in the nine-team NSIC preseason coaches’ poll released last month. St. Cloud State and Minnesota State shared the top spot in the NSIC Swimming & Diving Preseason Coaches Poll, with each program receiving 60 points.

Following Friday’s meet, SMSU will host its annual Brown & Gold Dual on Saturday, Oct. 1, with a 1 p.m. start time in the Don Palm Natatorium.