ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict swim and dive team is on the move again after a blistering start to the 2025–26 season. This weekend, the Bennies head to Wisconsin-La Crosse for a Saturday dual meet at Mitchell Hall, where diving begins at 9 a.m. and swimming follows at 1:30 p.m.

Under the guidance of head coach Mandy Wolvert, CSB has turned heads early in the year with its depth, consistency, and a string of standout performances. The Bennies opened the season Oct. 11 with a runner-up finish at the St. Catherine Pentathlon, then claimed the team title at their home CSB/SJU Invitational a week later. Since then, they've battled through back-to-back dual weekends, falling narrowly to Macalester on Oct. 25 before splitting matchups with St. Catherine and St. Olaf last weekend.

Bennies continue to make waves
At the St. Catherine/St. Olaf Double Dual on Nov. 1, CSB flexed its growing strength once more—cruising past St. Catherine 204–82 before falling to a tough St. Olaf squad 191–108. The Bennies still walked away with six event victories and 17 top four finishes, led by the unstoppable Haley Zelen.

The junior star continued her record-setting run, winning three individual events and one relay. She lowered her own school mark in the 100 butterfly for the fourth straight week, touching in 56.47 to edge her previous record of 56.68. Zelen also took the 100 breaststroke in 1:06.76 (fourth-fastest in CSB history) and the 50 freestyle in 24.25, before anchoring the 400-freestyle relay—with teammates Anna Schottler, Mary Morris, and Josey Larson—to victory in 3:40.29.

Larson, one of CSB's promising first-years, celebrated a breakthrough of her own, winning the 200 butterfly in a personal-best 2:16.12, good for ninth all-time at CSB. She added a third-place finish in the 100 butterfly (1:01.87). Schottler continued her strong debut season with runner-up finishes in the 100 freestyle (55.37) and 200 freestyle (2:02.45).

Morris also delivered, claiming the 200 backstroke crown in 2:08.92 and finishing second in the 100 back (1:00.39). In distance races, Morgan Stout took second in the 500 freestyle (5:36.05) and fourth in the 1,000 freestyle (11:39.04), while Megan Bartels placed fourth in both breaststroke events.

On the boards, Emma Netland continued her consistent season, placing sixth on the 1-meter (291.15) and fifth on the 3-meter (306.65).

Zelen's Record Run: A Season for the Ages
The double dual followed another memorable weekend against Macalester, where despite a close 167–132 loss, the Bennies showcased their firepower. CSB grabbed seven event victories and 18 top three finishes, led, once again, by Zelen's electrifying performance.

Zelen broke her own school record in the 100 butterfly for the third straight week, clocking 56.68, while also winning the 100 freestyle (52.85) and 100 backstroke (1:01.00)—each among the fastest times in program history.

She joined Morris, Bartels, and Schottler to win the 200-medley relay (1:50.96) and helped the Bennies to a runner-up finish in the 200-freestyle relay (1:45.92).
The younger swimmers made their mark too. Josey Larson earned her first collegiate win in the 200 butterfly (2:16.40), and Anna Schottler picked up her first victory in the 50 freestyle (24.98) while placing second in the 500 free (5:34.09).

Morris stayed sharp across the board, winning the 200 backstroke (2:11.37) and taking second in the 200 freestyle (2:01.60). Senior Megan Bartels earned a pair of third place finishes in the breaststroke events, and Morgan Stout sliced 13 seconds off her best 1,000 free time to finish fourth in 11:32.70.

Conference Honors and Depth Shine
Zelen's dazzling run hasn't gone unnoticed—she has already been named MIAC Swimmer of the Week three times, rewriting CSB's record book with every meet. On the diving side, Emma Netland earned MIAC Diving Athlete of the Week after her standout showing at the CSB/SJU Invitational on Oct. 18, where she edged teammate Abby Stevens on the 3-meter board by just 0.4 points.

That same meet saw CSB dominate in nearly every event, sweeping the top three spots in the 200-medley relay and showcasing the team's remarkable depth. Bartels collected three event wins, Lauren Sitzman took the 200-backstroke title, and Stout swept the distance events.

Early Season Momentum
The Bennies' 2025–26 campaign began with a statement at the St. Catherine Pentathlon on Oct. 11, where they finished second overall behind Division II Concordia–St. Paul. Zelen stole the show, winning four of five events, breaking two program records, and capturing the individual title.

With momentum, records, and confidence all trending upward, CSB now turns its focus to the weekend ahead. The Bennies will take on UW–La Crosse on Nov. 8 before facing NCAA Division II St. Cloud State on Nov. 15.