St. Louis Park swimmer chasing third state title

The pressure on Kathryn Ostrom in 2010 was to win a state title in the 100-yard breaststroke, as her sister Megan had the previous year.

The pressure on Ostrom last year was to earn another state title.

This year at the girls' swimming and diving state meet, which begins Thursday at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center, there is less stress on the St. Louis Park senior.

"This year, she wants to win ... she still wants to do well," St. Louis Park coach Jake Schwietering said. "But there is not as much pressure."

Said Ostrom, "I am more relaxed."

Ostrom has the third-best qualifying time of 1 minute, 6.48 seconds heading into the meet. Albert Lea freshman Lindsey Horejsi, who finished second to Ostrom at last year's state meet, has the top qualifying time (1:03.31). Horejsi's qualifying time is better than the Class 1A state meet record of 1:04.31, set by Visitation's Olivia McNeely in 2008. Ostrom won the event at last year's meet with a time of 1:04.65.

"At the section meet, Kathryn was only two days into her taper," Schwietering said. "The girl from Albert Lea is swimming well and will be tough to beat."

Ostrom, who also qualified for the state meet in the 200 IM and swam on two state-meet qualifying relays, has signed a letter of intent to swim for N.C.-Wilmington.

"I just made the decision last week," she said. "It came down to two schools. Georgia Southern [where her sister swims] was the other."

Class 1A meet

Defending champion Sartell-St. Stephen has qualified at least one swimmer in each individual event and its three relays but is without Marisa Wood. The five-time state champion in the 500 freestyle and three-time in the 200 freestyle did not swim for the Sabres this fall because of an illness. Wood set a state Class 1A meet record in each event at last year's meet.

Mankato West junior Danielle Nack returns to defend her titles in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly.

Two-time defending state champion Edina and Minnetonka, last year's runner-up, have qualified at least one swimmer or relay in each event. The Hornets swept the three relay titles at last year's state meet.

Stillwater, which was third last year, has at least one swimmer or relay in all events but one. Eden Prairie, fourth last year, has athletes qualified in 20 individual swims and three relays.