The Alexandria swimming and diving team handed out its season-ending awards recently to recognize a Cardinal team that went above and beyond what many thought it could this year.
Alexandria lost a lot of talent off of last year's team but found a way to replace that on its way to a second-place finish in the Central Lakes Conference. The Cardinals finished second during the regular season schedule and second at the CLC championships behind Fergus Falls. That led to plenty of recognition on this year's All-CLC team.
Captains Bennett Freitag, Aaron Rooney and Chris Vogeler were all honored by making that list. Sophomores Kris Aaseng and Eric Moe joined them as all-conference athletes, while Elliot Jacobson was named to the honorable mention team. All five all-conference swimmers represented Alexandria at this year's state swim meet.
Freitag was rewarded for a memorable senior season by being named the team's most valuable performer at the team's awards banquet. He also brought home the Hardest Worker Award. Rooney earned the Coach's Award, while Aaron Pietrowski was named the most improved swimmer.
Alexandria will again have to find a way to fill some important shoes off of this year's team. The Cardinals graduate five seniors in Freitag, Rooney, Vogeler, Austin Biskey and Bryce Bowser. They exceeded plenty of expectations on their way to leading Alexandria to a 9-1 dual-meet record.
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"I think we achieved more than most would have expected this season," head coach Mark Storhaug said. "It was a great group of boys to work with. An encore next year will be tough unless the underclassmen keep in shape and build strength during the months between now and next season."
ALEXANDRIA SWIMMING AWARDS
ALL CONFERENCE - Freitag, Rooney, Vogeler, Aaseng, Moe; HONORABLE MENTION - Elliot Jacobson
TEAM AWARDS - MVP - Freitag; Hardest Worker - Freitag; Coach's Award - Rooney; Most Improved - Aaron Pietrowski
