Panther swimmers still some of the best
by Andy Rogers
Thisweek Newspapers
It would be hard for any team to duplicate Lakeville North’s success last year when it won the Lake Conference and Section 2AA and finished 10th in the Class AA state tournament.
Although the team is in the new South Suburban Conference with a talented Prior Lake team, the Panthers should remain a competitive cat.
“We have a good nucleus returning, but we lost a good group of swimmers and we had six team members not come out this year,” said coach Dan Schneider. “With those losses we are not the same team we could have been, but it is a great group of girls to work with.”
One major strength is the swimming ability of Elizabeth Kleiner, who was all state in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle the past two years. Her times have been noticed by a number of Division I schools.
“She’s going some on recruiting trips,” Schneider said, “with one to Iowa at the end of the week.”
Christen Young will join her in the long-swim freestyle events after scoring points for North in the 500 at state last year.
Julie and Alena Bodnaruk are also back after qualifying for state last season. Erin Kleiner will also jump back in the pool after going to state as an alternate for relays.
“Our strength will be in distance freestyle and our weakness will be breaststroke,” Schneider said.
Lakeville North tied with Prior Lake 93-93 on Sept. 7.
It will be up to the rest of the conference to break the logjam at the top.
Lakeville South
Even though the Cougars lost two of the best swimmers in school history to graduation last spring, South is still capable of winning a few dual meets and sending swimmers to state.
South started the season 3-0 with victories over Austin, Rosemount and Burnsville.
“I’m thrilled with the way young swimmers have taken on the challenges of filling the roles of the stars of the past like Melissa McMahon and Hailey Campbell,” said coach Rick Ringeisen.
South may never find a suitable replacement for Campbell, who rewrote the record book at South.
“She was the type of athlete that you could put on the end of a relay and know that she would bring home the victory,” Ringeisen said. “As a coach you count your blessings if you are lucky enough to coach one athlete like her in your career.”
For now the team will use a group of swimmers to help get those points back.
“It’s going to take the leadership of Kelly Moore, Carrie Schrock and Haley Chatelaine to provide Lakeville South with the speed to be back at the state meet again this year,” Ringeisen said.
The Cougars will also have the talents of Madison McBride, Maddie Turbes, and Alli McKennell, who have put up some solid numbers so far. Jenna Loerzel is the team’s most experienced diver, and Brianna Alexander is 11-1 so far in her races, as well.
“I do believe that Brianna may be able to improve two to three of our school records,” Ringeisen said.
It will still be hard to match last season’s success.
“This year will be a rebuilding year,” Ringeisen said. “In the past we have looked at the state meet as a place to showcase the team’s talent.
“This year the state meet is more of a goal, with a dream of swimming in the finals.”
Andy Rogers is at
andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com.
