ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict swim and dive team wraps up its 2018-19 season this weekend at the 2019 MIAC Championships. This marks the last meet of three of the athletes' careers, and one more has already extended her season – and her career – at least one more meet by qualifying for zones. Ashley Groebner and Grace Livermore graduate in May after four years with the program, and Andreau Molus and Mallory Jarvi are juniors, but will graduate early next year and will not compete with the team in 2019-20. Jarvi will compete at NCAA Zones March 1-2 and try to earn a spot at the NCAA Championships. This week, gobennies.com caught up with all four to talk about their careers.
 
What is your favorite memory about swimming or diving for CSB?
Mallory Jarvi: My favorite memory was my sophomore year at our home dual meet against the Tommies when I was able to out their divers on 3-meter. It felt great to represent the team and show those Tommies what's up! Also at the St. Thomas invite my sophomore year, members of the team made bets with Coach Eckberg that if they swam a certain time the team could get Coldstone. They did it with flying colors and Dan kept his promise, so the team ate ice cream in the middle of winter together.
 
Andrea Molus: My favorite memory is doing the hour of power every year. That event was so fun because it was for a good cause and allowed us to have one practice of the year with the boys' team. We always had a good time filled with laughs while still getting in a workout.
 
Ashley Groebner: My favorite memory has to be my first year MIACs meet. I had so much young energy and I was ecstatic to be racing on such a big stage. Our teams brought so much energy and love to the meet and I felt so connected to everyone. It was at this meet that I realized how proud I was to be part of this incredible team.
 
Grace Livermore: Training trips, MIAC meets, team dinners, meeting my best friends 
 
What were some goals you had as a first year? How did things work out?
GL: My first year on the team I had the most amazing senior captains, so I made it a goal to become a captain my senior year - which I achieved. 
 
MJ: A major goal I have had since my freshman year has been to compete at Regionals. My freshman year I was 20 points away for 11 dives on 3-meter from getting that score. This season I was only a couple points away from it for 6-dives on 1-meter. Then I finally scored the national cut twice on my last two meets qualifying me for the regional meet. I am ecstatic to finally be able to compete at the regional level and represent the team. It is honestly a dream come true and it feels that the last nine years of my diving career have led up to this, especially since it's my last year able to compete.
 
AG: As a first year my biggest goal was to become the best swimmer and teammate I could be. I wanted to improve my times each year and place in top eight in my favorite event, the 100 breaststroke. I wanted to swim all four years of college. So far so good!
 
AM: One of my goals as a first year swimmer was to get at least one lifetime best swim. Overall, I did get one lifetime best during my last meet in the 200 backstroke. It was a great feeling looking at the score board and seeing that time knowing all the hard work paid off.
 
If you could give one piece of advice to future athletes on the team, what would it be?
AM: A piece of advice for future swimmers/divers on the CSB team would be to just embrace the grind. There are going to be practices that are going to have long swims that are boring and there is no way to spice up an 8,000-yard day. So, just embrace the grind and sing yourself a song.
 
GL: Don't take anything for granted! Your four years here will go by so fast. Focus on the positives rather than the negatives. Spend time with your teammates!
 
AG: You are stronger than you think! Never give up on yourself or your dreams. Be thankful for the opportunities you have! Attitude is everything. I could go on and on…
 
MJ: My advice would be to cherish these moments. This is most likely the last time in your life you will ever be able to compete swimming or diving. Enjoy every race, every dive, and remember that you are in the sport because you love it. Also, make bets with your coach because the ice cream is totally worth it afterwards!
 
What is something you will miss most about swimming or diving for CSB?
AG: The team by far. They have become my best friends and my family. When fall comes around it will be hard not returning to the pool and seeing all my teammates.
 
AM: The thing I will miss most about CSB swim and dive are the people. The coaches have had such a positive influence on my time here at CSB and have been there for me since day one. I will also miss my teammates because they have been by my side through all the practices and we have gone through hundreds upon hundreds of miles together so that bond is pretty strong.
 
MJ: I will miss the team and the competition. I love competitive diving, and it has pushed me physically and mentally to be a better athlete along with a better person. But the competition wouldn't be as great without the team that has always had my back. The support that I have gotten from my teammates is indescribable. They are the first to support me up after a tough meet, and the first to cheer me on after a great meet. Without my teammates my college diving career would not have been as amazing and positive as it has been. 
 
GL: Getting to see my favorite people every single day; always having a set goal that I am constantly striving to achieve.