Welcome to the first post in SJU Swim and Dive blog! We are starting a new tradition with the 2019-2020 season! This is an exciting time to be a part of the SJU Swim and Dive team. The season is well underway already with an early start this year in September. I hope to continue to write and update the blog monthly with news and information about our team’s progress towards MIACs in February.
With a large freshman class this year, we’ve added depth in many events, while also adding talent in areas that were lacking in the past. This will certainly add to our ability to score at MIACs but will also put pressure on the upperclassmen to continue perform at their best. Young talent brings with it new expectations and goals for individuals and the team. I am excited to see these young athletes grow and fully expect to be contending with Gustavus and St Thomas for a conference championship in the years to come. While it is always good to infuse talent into a team and continue to grow, the leadership at the top always makes the difference. We have four seniors this year coming back and they all will make a big impact in the pool and in the attitude we take into practice and into meets. Our team captains, Mitch Dockendorf and Ryan Pauley both understand the importance of focusing on team culture to help our young team develop into champions. As a new coach this year it is great to have captains and a senior class that understands the importance of team culture and is willing to work to make sure that Johnnie swim and dive traditions are passed on while also pushing the team achieve more in and out of the classroom.
Thus far our early season competitions have gone very well. We have had guys step up in some of their main events, and we’ve had others that have stepped up to swim some off events. As a team we are undefeated, competing against Hamline, Macalester, and St. Mary’s. Many of our swimmers have stepped up to swim events they normally wouldn’t which has been good to see and allowed for individual growth and, ultimately, will help our team develop strengths in areas we weren’t expecting. Our divers have especially stepped up, most notably freshman Jack Grabinski who has already notched one regional qualifying score, setting himself up for a run at nationals this spring. This coming weekend will be the biggest test of the season thus far, with a dual meet against St. Thomas. We look forward to the challenge their team brings and hope that you will come to cheer us on!
Finally, I’d like to mention that we will be hosting an Alumni gathering for the swim and dive team on Saturday, March 14, 2020. This will be a chance to come and meet the current team, connect with old teammates, and have a bit of fun reliving the glory days in Warner Palaestra pool! More information to come, but we’d love to see you all there!
I am excited to starts a new avenue of communication with the Johnnie swim and dive community and hope to see you all at the pool soon!
Go Johnnies!