Lakeville, Rosemount swimmers rest up

Spirits are high among the Lakeville North girls' swimmers and divers. Not only did they put together one of their finest meets of the season against Apple Valley last Thursday, but with the section meets approaching this week, now it's time to taper.

"Anytime you start talking about tapering at the end of the year, they automatically flip a switch and they're pretty excited because they know the hard work's done and we get to rest," coach Dan Schneider said with a laugh.

Jokes aside, the Panthers have earned the right to rest after putting together an 8-1 conference dual meet record and earning a share of the South Suburban title with Rosemount and Prior Lake.

This is the third consecutive season Lakeville North has taken home the hardware. Team members won it outright two years ago, shared it with Prior Lake last fall and now find themselves in a three-way tie at the top.

This year's Panthers return two sisters, Alena (sophomore) and Julia Bodnaruk (junior), along with junior Erin Kleiner. Each qualified for state individually last season, and were part of the school-record 200- and 400-freestyle relay teams that finished fifth and sixth, respectively, at the University of Minnesota's Aquatic Center. Filling out the fourth spot is freshman Brenna Smith, who helped the girls break their own pool record this year in the 400.

Among the Panthers' victims this season was fellow title-holder Rosemount. Coach Tami Carlson conceded her girls just weren't ready for Lakeville North.

"It was a hard loss for us," Carlson said. "Lakeville [North] was much more prepared mentally and physically for that meet and their girls came to swim."

Rosemount typically has had solid swimmers, but never the depth of this year's team. A strong group of freshmen and two eighth-graders have bolstered its lineup into contender status, evidenced by finishing ninth at the Class 2A True Team state meet. Leading the Irish are seniors Elyse Griffith and University of St. Thomas recruit Beth Wenman.

"It's different; usually the older kids have carried the team. It's made us a lot stronger and this year we have more depth than we ever have," said Griffith, who went to state last year in the 100-yard backstroke. "So instead of just getting a bunch of first places, we can also get the second and third places, which make it a lot better for our team and the score."

Two of those younger members are freshman Olivia Johnston and eighth-grader Megan Wenman, Beth's sister.

Rosemount faces formidable and familiar Woodbury at the 2A Section 3 meet Wednesday through Friday at Richfield Middle School.

"One of our goals this season is to be section champs, and the girls are mentally and physically prepared for this," Carlson said.