Girls' swimming and diving: Minnewaska dresses 40 on varsity

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The Minnewaska-Morris Gators swimming and diving team will head into the water with 40 swimmers this season.

Thirty of those athletes are from Minnewaska, led by four-time letter winner and state participant Bridget Opdahl. Opdahl is entering her senior season after already holding or sharing five different school records.

Julianne Helander (diving, sprints) and Colleen Rutledge (IM, distance) join her as seniors expected to help lead a young team.

“We are pleased so far with their hard work and the number of swimmers in grades 7 and 8,” head coach Linda Hoffmann said. “[That’s] something to build on for the future.”

The Gators will compete in the West Central Conference this year. Holdingford is also in its first season in the league for swimming, while Sauk Centre, Montevideo and defending champion Melrose round out the squads.

“I’m looking forward to this season,” Hoffmann said. “We will see improvement from the girls, and they work hard and are very coachable.”

2012 MINNEWASKA-MORRIS

SWIMMING AND DIVING

SENIORS – Bridget Opdahl, Julianne Helander, Colleen Rutledge

JUNIORS – Amanda Thompson, Darrian DuVall, Paige Hawkins

SOPHOMORES – Bridgitte Weaver, Ashlee Boysen, Ashley Homme, Arianna Maras

FRESHMEN – Mason Schlief, Halleigh Thompson, Meghan Thoen, Emily Edmunds, Miranda Cerney

EIGHTH GRADE – Ashley Anderson, Tristin Heald, Agnes Dieter

COACHES – Head coach – Linda Hoffmann; Assistant coaches – Anita Nelson, Kris Entzi, Dakota Frazier

Tags: minnewaska sports, sports, girls, swimming, diving, lakers