ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – With a blend of experience, energy, and unshakable chemistry, the College of Saint Benedict swim and dive team is riding a wave of confidence as it dives into the 2025-26 season this Saturday, Oct. 10.

 

Split between two meets—the St. Catherine Pentathlon and the Hamline University Diving Invite—the Bennies are setting the tone early with what they hope will be a breakthrough campaign.

"There's something different about this group," said head coach Mandy Wolvert. "It's not just the talent—it's the energy, the drive. We've got seniors and juniors stepping up in a big way. They're going to make an impact."

Wolvert, now in her seventh season at the helm of the program, has guided the team to back-to-back sixth-place finishes at the MIAC Championships, with a fifth-place finish in 2023. But the goal this season isn't just to climb the standings—it's to make waves.

"I don't want us to just fit in," Wolvert said. "I want us to disrupt. I think this is the team that can surprise people."

Key Leaders and Rising Stars
The 2025-26 squad returns an impressive core of seasoned performers, including junior Mary Morris, senior Megan Bartels, junior Claire Canfield, and standout transfer Haley Zelen, who brings Division I experience from the University of Wisconsin.

Morris is coming off a record-setting sophomore season. She shattered the school record in the 200 backstroke at last year's MIAC Championships with a 2:03.90, just 0.12 seconds shy of gold. She also earned All-MIAC honors in the 200 free, clocking 1:55.46—the fifth-fastest time in program history.

"In past years, there's always been a bit of nervousness starting the season," Morris said. "This year, it's just excitement. We're ready. We want to race."

Morris and Canfield were both named to the CSB Swim and Dive Academic All-District Team last season, underscoring their leadership both in and out of the pool.

Bartels, a versatile senior and key relay contributor, echoes that enthusiasm.

"We've created this positive training environment," she said. "When we race, it's not against each other—it's with each other. We push each other to get better."

Bartels was part of the 200 medley relay team—alongside Morris, Canfield, and Rachel Schlueter—that placed sixth at the MIAC meet with a time of 1:48.25, the fourth-best in program history. She also contributed to the 400 medley relay that finished fifth in 3:58.47, the second-fastest time in CSB history.

Zelen Brings Division I Speed
One of CSB's new additions is Haley Zelen, a junior who transferred from Wisconsin after competing in last year's Big Ten Championships. Zelen brings elite-level experience in sprint freestyle and butterfly events, boasting times of 23.39 in the 50 free, 51.09 in the 100 free, and 54.24 in the 100 fly—each of which would rank as the fastest in CSB program history.

"It's exciting to know I can contribute more here than I have before," Zelen said. "That's motivating for me. I want to help move this team up, and I know we're capable of it."

Depth, Drive, and Diving Talent
Canfield returns as another crucial piece of the team's success. She placed fifth in the 200 back at the MIAC meet with a career-best 2:07.26—fifth all-time at CSB—and added a top-five finish in the 400 IM with a personal-best 4:42.73, the eighth-fastest mark in program history.

On the boards, junior Ella Kowalczyk returns after placing sixth on the 3-meter at last season's MIAC Championships, giving CSB strength in diving as well.

The Road Ahead
With a roster that combines tested veterans and hungry newcomers, the Bennies have their sights set high. The ultimate target is the MIAC Championships, set for Feb. 11-14 at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. (Click here for full schedule).

But for now, they're ready to hit the water—and hit it hard.

"There's a fire in this group," Wolvert said. "We've got talent, we've got depth, and we've got belief. This team is ready to turn some heads."