Maple Grove going for two swim titles in a row

Here's the understatement of the day: It's not easy for a team in any sport to win back-to-back state championships.

It's particularly hard when only a portion of that team actually participates in the state tournament.

Such as it is in girls' swimming, where team championships are determined using only the individuals who qualified for the state meet. Maple Grove won the 2007 Class 2A state championship in the most difficult way imaginable, pulling off the feat despite not having a single individual champion.

The Crimson has 15 entrants in this year's meet, which begins Thursday and runs through Saturday at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.

Staff writer Jim Paulsen spoke with Maple Grove's Tess Behrens, the Crimson's top individual swimmer. Behrens, a junior, will compete in the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke and swim on the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams.

Q Your team has a shot at another state title. How big is that?

A That would be huge for us. It's really cool to win one state title; to win two in a row would be amazing.

Q How different has this season been compared to last year?

A We definitely have a larger team, so that's been different. We've had to do some things within practice to accommodate. And we have confidence. Now that we've got one [championship] under our belts, we can say we're one of the top teams and know we always have a chance to win.

Q What did last year's state title do for this year's team?

A It's made us a lot closer. It's made us want to work harder. We got that taste once. We want to get it again.

Q Swimming is an individual sport that has adopted a team concept. Is an individual championship more important?

A No, not at all. Winning an individual championship is just one person. Winning one with your team, it means everybody put forth the collective effort to accomplish something. It's something you can all share.

Q But you still want to win an individual championship, right?

A Oh yeah, that's one of my goals. I'm swimming in the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. I think I have a shot at both, but either one would be good.

Q What's your favorite event?

A I like the 100 backstroke. It's not a sprint or a distance race. It's just one of the hardest strokes to do.

Q It doesn't look like it. The backstroke looks kind of leisurely, actually.

A It does look like that. I think the more relaxed stroke you have, the better. But believe me, it looks relaxing but it is really hard.

Q Last year, you finished second in the 100 backstroke to [Eden Prairie's] Rachel Bootsma. She's back this year. Is there any desire for revenge?

A No. We swim on the same club team, so she's a good friend. but I would like to beat her. Call us friendly rivals.