Swim team could match last year's success

After enjoying one of its most successful seasons the Brainerd Warriors girls' swimming and diving team appears capable of duplicating those achievements this fall.

Brainerd won the conference title, was section runner-up and qualified 10 individuals for the state meet.

Even though standout Cori Severson has graduated, the Warriors appear to have sufficient talent to replace her.

Seven state meet participants return, including senior captains Krista Rauen and Katie Diiro, juniors Erica Campbell, Krystal Halvorson, Amanda Bateman and Christina Roberts and sophomore Sarah Gervais.

Swimming/diving facts

Head coach -- Dan Anderson, 17th season (10th at Brainerd, seven at Rock Springs, Wyo.)

Brainerd career record -- 56-29 (.659).

2001 finish -- 7-0 CLC, 8-1 overall, CLC champion, Section 8, Class 2A runner-up.

Returning state meet participants -- Krista Rauen, Erica Campbell, Katie Diiro, Krystal Halverson, Amanda Bateman, Christina Roberts, Sarah Gervais.

Assistant coaches -- Ann Stenglein, Mary Streiff.

Schedule

(Meets 6 p.m. unless noted.)

AUGUST

29-at Sartell

SEPTEMBER

7-at Bemidji Inv., 10 a.m.

12-at Little Falls

14-at Park Rapids Inv., 10 a.m.

19-ST. CLOUD APOLLO

21-at Rosemount Inv., 9 a.m.

26-WILLMAR

OCTOBER

1-ALEXANDRIA

3-at St. Cloud Tech

5-BRD INV., TBA

10-at Sauk Rapids

15-ROCORI

22-FERGUS FALLS

26-CLC at Sartell, 10 a.m.

"We have the potential to be every bit as good," Warriors head coach Dan Anderson said. "We do need a couple young kids to step it up. We did lose some quality kids, but we have plenty left over."

Rauen was on the 17th-place medley relay at state and was 21st at state in the 100-yard butterfly. She is ticketed to swim the butterfly, backstroke and individual medley.

"Krista's been on the varsity forever, since eighth grade," Anderson said. "She's probably the best butterflyer in the conference, probably the No. 1 returning in the section."

Diiro was 11th in the state 50 free and was a member of the seventh-place 200 free relay and medley relay at state. She is scheduled to swim sprint events.

"Katie is the No. 1 returning sprinter in the section and conference," Anderson said. "She's been overshadowed because of Cori. This is her year to step out. She's very fast. She swam at the state meet two years in a row in the 50 and placed in the 50 last year. She's one of the fastest in the state."

Campbell was on the 400 free relay that qualified for state but did not place.

"Erica's the school-record holder in the 500 free," Anderson said. "She just missed going to state in that. She's an extremely hard worker. She's one of those great practice swimmers. She pushes everybody."

Halverson also went to state with the 400 free relay.

"In Krystal's first two years on the varsity we plugged her in where we needed to strengthen our team," Anderson said. "This year we're trying to put her where it benefits her more. I think you will hear more about her this year."

Bateman, a sprint freestyler, was on the 200 and 400 state relays.

"Amanda's so steady," Anderson said. "She's like money in the bank. Wherever we put her we know we will get a great performance out of her. She was probably the most consistent swimmer on those relays all year long. We knew exactly what time she would give us."

Roberts finished 22nd at state in the 200 free.

"Christina's one of the best athletes in the high school," Anderson said. "She set the school record in the 200 free last year. We will move her into the butterfly this year. She's a good enough athlete to do that."

Gervais was on the state medley relay and narrowly missed qualifying for state in the breaststroke last year. She broke a thumb playing soccer this summer and may miss the first few meets.

"Sarah's got a shot to make it to state in the breaststroke," Anderson said. "She's a little behind in training but we will get her caught up. "

Warriors roster

Returning letterwinners

Seniors -- Krista Rauen, Annie Bahr, Amanda Johnson, Jenny Olson, Elsie Rehberger, Megan Groneberg, Megan Koehnen, Erin Donnelly, Michelle Spindler, Katie Diiro, Jenny Garry.

Juniors -- Brittany Jurek, Meagan Street, Emily Jones, Brittani Erickson, Chelsea Straw, Lauren Trapp, Katie Viau, Jessica Baker, Emily Dunphy, Erica Campbell, Jenny Wentworth, Amanda Bateman, Kelsey Boran, Kim Friehbole, Krystal Halverson, Kati Hilborn, Jill London, Jenny Peltoma, Christina Roberts, Emily Schindler, Jasmine Mastel-Lipson.

Sophomores -- Nicole Roncalli, Erika Dumbeck, Hilary Smith, Cara Wiltse, Courtney Sinner, Dana Hanson, Emily Schirmer, Jocelyn Jones, Sarah Gervais.

Returning non-letterwinners

Claire Northway, Alicia Rauen, Kristina Johnson, Gracie Kelm, Lacy Thesing, Julianna Carlson, Erica Villella, Jackie Sellnow, Emily Olson, Brenna Carlson, Stacey Verkennes, Erin Rossinger.

Newcomers

Jessica Bateman, Katrina Davison, Dawnielle Gadacz, Maggie Boland, Jenny Boran, Briana Elg, Briana Hanson, Alyssa Lewendowski, Danielle Marolt, Kara Rutman, Kim Williams.