ST. JOSEPH, Minn. — The College of Saint Benedict swim and dive team hasn't just opened the 2025–26 season with confidence — it has surged forward with depth, speed, and record-setting momentum. That growth will be on display again Saturday, Jan. 17, when the Bennies travel to St. Peter, Minn., to face Gustavus Adolphus at the Vic Gustafson Pool.

Under the guidance of head coach Mandy Wolvert, Saint Benedict has steadily evolved with each meet. What began as a runner-up finish at the St. Catherine Pentathlon on Oct. 11 has turned into a two-month stretch defined by breakthrough swims, dominant relay performances, and an expanding presence in the CSB all-time record book. After a midseason break that included a training trip to Puerto Rico, the Bennies return to competition eager to continue that momentum against the Gusties. Then, CSB will host Carleton on Jan. 24 before going to the Minnesota First Chance Meet in Minneapolis on Feb. 6-7. A week later, St. Ben's competes at the MIAC Championships on Feb. 11-14, also in Minneapolis.

That progress is reflected clearly in the numbers, as CSB swimmers and divers have produced top-tier performances across nearly every event this season.

Top Times – 2025–26 Season
50 Free – Haley Zelen, 23.07 (school record, D3 B); Anna Schottler, 24.57; Addie Marsolek, 25.96
100 Free – Haley Zelen, 50.79 (D3 B cut, school record); Anna Schottler, 54.02; Morgan Stout, 56.30
200 Free – Mary Morris, 1:57.58; Morgan Stout, 1:57.78; Anna Schottler, 2:00.07
500 Free – Morgan Stout, 5:18.04 (10th, all-time at CSB); Maddie Brynda, 5:29.87; Mary Morris, 5:31.69
1000 Free – Morgan Stout, 11:17.98; Maddie Brynda, 11:44.91; Izzy Green, 11:53.46
1650 Free – Morgan Stout, 18:36.89; Maddie Brynda, 19:22.20; Izzy Green, 19:50.31
50 Back – Mary Morris, 27.35; Haley Zelen, 29.43; Lauren Sitzman, 29.43
100 Back – Mary Morris, 59.22; Haley Zelen, 1:00.63; Lauren Sitzman, 1:01.26
200 Back – Mary Morris, 2:06.95; Lauren Sitzman, 2:13.50; Madeline Tillmann, 2:17.78
50 Breast – Haley Zelen, 31.02; Bella Kern, 31.95; Megan Bartels, 33.17
100 Breast – Haley Zelen, 1:05.77 (2nd all-time at CSB); Megan Bartels, 1:10.00; Bella Kern, 1:10.08
200 Breast – Bella Kern, 2:31.82; Megan Bartels, 2:38.39; Isabella Anderson, 2:38.39
50 Fly – Haley Zelen, 25.39; Maddie Tillmann, 28.46; Josey Larson, 28.97
100 Fly – Haley Zelen, 54.72 (D3 B cut, school record); Josey Larson, 1:01.16; Madeline Tillmann, 1:02.10
200 Fly – Josey Larson (6th all-time at CSB), 2:14.24; Izzy Green, 2:23.57; Isabella Anderson, 2:28.07
100 IM – Haley Zelen, 59.76 (school record); Bella Kern, 1:04.18 (8th all-time at CSB); Lydia Jostock, 1:04.22 (9th all-time at CSB)
200 IM – Mary Morris, 2:14.15; Bella Kern, 2:18.53; Lydia Jostock, 2:19.72
400 IM – Josey Larson, 5:05.55; Jayda Alholm, 5:06.18; Madeline Tillmann, 5:07.17
200 Free Relay – 1:38.30 (9th all time): Anna Schottler, Maddie Modjeski, Addie Marsolek, Jayda Alholm
400 Free Relay – 3:34.00 (2nd all time record): Anna Schottler, Mary Morris, Josey Larson, Haley Zelen
200 Medley Relay – 1:46.69 (2nd all time record): Mary Morris, Megan Bartels, Haley Zelen, Anna Schottler
400 Medley Relay – 3:57.80 (2nd all time record): Mary Morris, Haley Zelen, Josey Larson, Jayda Alholm
1M Diving (11 dives) – Emma Netland, 291.15; Sadie Kraft, 214.60
1M Diving (6 dives) – Abby Stevens, 169.40; Emma Netland, 168.90; Sadie Kraft, 131.05
3M Diving (6 dives) – Emma Netland, 184.05; Abby Stevens, 160.65
3M Diving (11 dives) – Emma Netland, 306.65

Season Review - 

Much of CSB's early-season surge has been powered by junior Haley Zelen (Shakopee, Minn.), who has authored one of the most dominant stretches in program history. Zelen earned MIAC Swimming Athlete of the Week honors on Dec. 9 after a record-shattering performance at the Rochester Invite — her fifth weekly conference honor, a CSB program best. During the 2025 season alone, she has been recognized by the MIAC on Oct. 14, Oct. 21, Nov. 4, Nov. 11, and Dec. 9.

At Rochester, Zelen rewrote the CSB record book. She broke three individual school records, helped set a relay record, registered three NCAA Division III B cuts, and contributed to seven top-10 program performances. She opened the meet by lowering the 50 freestyle record twice in one day, ultimately winning the final in 23.07. She followed by crushing her own 100 butterfly record with a 54.72, another NCAA B cut. Zelen also teamed with Mary Morris (St. Cloud, Minn.), Megan Bartels (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Anna Schottler (Chanhassen, Minn.) to break the school record in the 200 medley relay.

The weekend continued with near-record performances in the 100 breaststroke and another top-two all-time relay swim in the 400 medley relay. Zelen capped the meet by breaking the 100 freestyle record with a winning time of 50.79 and helping the 400 freestyle relay post the second-fastest time in program history. Overall, CSB finished eighth at the Rochester Invite with four school records and nine top-10 program marks. Josey Larson (Hastings, Minn.) added the sixth best time in program history in the 200 butterfly, while senior Morgan Stout (Des Moines, Iowa) posted a career-best 5:18.04 in the 500 free, a time that now ranks 10th all-time at CSB.
Earlier in the season, the Bennies showed their growing depth in a dual against NCAA Division II St. Cloud State. Despite a 203–90 loss, CSB collected four event titles and 20 top-five finishes. Zelen won three individual events and helped the 400 medley relay to a runner-up finish alongside Morris, Larson, and Jayda Alholm (Little Falls, Minn.). CSB also captured the 200 freestyle relay with a lineup featuring Alholm, Bartels, Lydia Jostock (Delano, Minn.), and Ava Niksich (Hermantown, Minn.).

At UW–La Crosse, Zelen delivered another standout performance with three individual wins and two school records, earning her fourth MIAC Swimmer of the Week honor. Morris added a win in the 200 backstroke, while Larson, Bartels, and Stout continued to establish themselves as key contributors across multiple events. Even in defeat, the Bennies left La Crosse with four event wins and 18 top-four finishes.

CSB also split competition at the St. Catherine/St. Olaf Double Dual, rolling past St. Catherine and battling a strong St. Olaf squad. Zelen reset her 100 fly record for the fourth straight week, Larson broke into the CSB top-10 with a win in the 200 butterfly, and the Bennies claimed six total event victories. Diver Emma Netland remained consistent on the boards with top-six finishes in both events.

That momentum first began to take shape during a competitive dual with Macalester, where CSB tallied seven event wins and 18 top-three finishes. Zelen broke her own 100 fly record for the third straight week, Larson and Schottler earned their first collegiate victories, and CSB's relays continued to show championship-level potential.

As the Bennies return from their training trip and prepare for the heart of the MIAC schedule, the early headlines are clear. Zelen's historic run has set the pace, but the depth across swimming and diving has positioned Saint Benedict as a team that continues to rise with every meet.