By Todd Peters, MSUM head women’s swimming and diving coach

• SPRINT FREESTYLE (50/100/200 YARDS)
  Seniors Amanda Bateman and Barbie Brooks, second-year swimmer, Amy Roness, and Junior Lauren Baalman will lead the freestyle sprint events, and all four athletes are coming off career-best years. Roness, a Williston native, was the NCC’s “Newcomer of the Year” and qualified for NCAA Division II Nationals in the 50 freestyle and on the 200 Medley Relay. She placed seventh in the 100 free at the NCC meet with a 54.12 and 11th in the 50 free with a 24.52. Both swims were lifetime bests and MSUM school records. Bateman had lifetime bests in the 50 free – 25.37, 100 free – 56.68, and the 200 free – 2:02.64 at the NCC meet. Baalman, MSUM’s 2006-2007 “Female Athlete of the Year”, and 2007 NCAA national qualifier is coming off a career year with national qualifying swims in the 100 Butterfly – 58.33, 200 Freestyle – 1:56.08, and as part of the 200 Medley Relay, where she had the fastest 50 butterfly split in the conference – 25.75. Other returning sprinters expected to make a contribution include Cassie Jensen and Ashley Oliverius. Freshmen Kylie Potter, an All-American who anchored Lincoln High School’s Nebraska State Championship 200 Medley Relay, will help fill the sprint events.
• DISTANCE FREESTYLE (500/1000/1650 YARDS)
  The four best distance swimmers in MSUM history are returning as the quartet of Danielle Lauderbaugh, Heather Harris, Kristen Wann and Jessica Branham will push each other to greater limits. Lauderbaugh holds the mile school record – 18:34.21, while Harris has the 1000 Freestyle – 11:08.18 and 500 Freestyle – 5:28.83 school records.
• BREASTSTROKE (100/200 YARDS)
  What was once the Dragon’s biggest weakness now becomes its’ greatest strength. Ann Gusewelle, NCAA Division II National finalist is joined by All-American and Nebraska High School Champion, Kylie Potter and Minnesota Section 8A Swimmer of the Year, Karena King. Gusewelle’s 100 breaststroke time of 1:06.32 will now be backed up by Potter’s 1:08.10 and King’s 1:10.75. The trio will also compete in the 200 breaststroke event and will be backed up by sophomore Jessica Knote and freshman Maren Fruia.
• BACKSTROKE (100/200 YARDS)
  Senior and national qualifier Barbie Brooks leads a talented group including sophomore Jalaigh Mathis, Freshmen Alison Moore and Marley Hanson, and senior Ashley Oliverius. Lauren Baalman will swim the 200 yard event where she placed seventh at the conference meet.
• BUTTERFLY (100/200 YARDS)
  The greatest depth of any event as seven team members are under 1:04…Baalman – 58.33, Roness – 59.58, Fruia – 1:00.98, Madrigal - 1:01.46, Mathis – 1:02.10, King - 1:03.20, Brooks – 1:03.77. All of the flyers will see time in the 200 yard event along with sophomore Jessica Knote.
• INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY (200/400 YARDS)
  California freshman standout, Amanda Madrigal and local star, Karena King will greatly improve the Dragons’ strength in the IM events. Madrigal’s lifetime best in the 400 IM is more than 10 seconds faster than the MSUM school record. Returning swimmers Baalman and Gusewelle will see time in the 200 yard event while sophomores Jalaigh Mathis and Jessica Knote will round out the 400 IM event.
• MEDLEY RELAYS (200/400 YARDS)
  National qualifiers Barbie Brooks, Ann Gusewelle, Lauren Baalman, and Amy Roness will have stiffer competition for their relay spots as incoming freshman Amanda Madrigal (Backstroke), Kylie Potter (Breaststroke and Freestyle), Karena King (Breaststroke, Fly, and Free), and Maren Fruia (Fly) all have their sights on qualifying for nationals on a Dragon Medley Relay.
• FREESTYLE RELAYS (200/400/800 YARDS)
  The freestyle relays will likely be undecided until the conference meet as everyone on the team fights for these coveted spots. Look for Roness and Baalman to lead the charge, while Brooks, Gusewelle, Potter, Madrigal, King, and Bateman will be close behind.
• SPRINGBOARD DIVING (1-METER/3-METER)
  The Dragons continue their strength in the diving events with three returning national qualifiers – Sarah Chaussee, Kerin Hanson and Sarah Wilker. They will be joined by standout sophomore transfer Kayla Koenig, a top-notch diver who spent her freshman year at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.