MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State University Moorhead women’s swimming and diving coach Todd Peters has announced the addition of 10 student-athletes for the 2015-16 season. The group includes four Minnesota high school state qualifiers, a Wisconsin high school state champion and two of the top senior swimmers in Montana.
Joining the Dragons in the fall of 2015 will be Blythe Bell of Marshall, Minn.; Taylor Beynon of Waconia, Minn.; Sami DuVal of Billings, Mont.; Erin Fons of Windsor,Wis.; Lexi Heil of Albertville, Minn.; Natalie Huntley of Maplewood, Minn.; Linnea Johnson of Vadnais Heights, Minn.; Natalie Kampa of Plymouth, Minn.; Linnaya Luoma of Shepherd, Mont.; and Madalyn Winger of Alexandria, Minn.
“This is the largest and highest quality fall recruiting class in the history of Dragon swimming and diving,” Peters said. “We made a decision last spring to be aggressive in getting the bulk of our signees in the early period and our hard work has paid off. Our goal was to not only replace our graduating seniors but also bring in additional talent to take us to the top of the conference and we believe we have accomplished that. We filled all of our needs by bringing in multiple sprinters, quality distance swimmers, a national-level breaststroker and top-notch butterflyers. We will have unbelievable depth in all events next year.”
Blythe Bell (Free, Marshall, Minn./Marshall HS)
Five-year Section 3A qualifier…competed in the 200 and 500 freestyle events…competed for the Boilermaker Aquatics club for four years and also competed for the Southwest Swim Club in Marshall for three years…Blythe’s high school coach, Nicole Peterson, swam for Moorhead head coach, Todd Peters, when he coached at Fargo South High School.
“Blythe will see huge improvements as a college swimmer,” Peters said. “We like how enthusiastic she is about being part of the Dragon program. Blythe has a wealth of experience that will help her excel in the distance events.”
Taylor Beynon (IM/Distance Free, Waconia, Minn./Home School, Swam for Waconia HS)
Four-time all-conference selection…two-time state participant…named Rookie of the Year in 2011…competed for the West Express Swim Team in Chaska, Minn., where she was a state swimmer for six years….primary events were 200 IM, 500 free and 100 breaststroke… qualified for the 2014 Minnesota High School Class A State Meet in the 200 medley relay, 500 freestyle and 200 IM. Taylor finished eighth in the IM, 19th in the 500 and 18th in the Medley Relay.
“Taylor attended our swim camp and we immediately knew what she was capable of achieving at the college level.” Peters said. “Taylor is perfectly suited for the longer college events with best times in the 400 IM (4:40.38) and 1,650 free (18:18.93) which are just off our team records, along with solid times in the 200 breaststroke (2:28.06), 200 IM (2:12.51), 500 free (5:22.70) and 1,000 free (10:55.66).”
Sami DuVal (Fly, Back, IM, Billings, Mont../Billings Central Catholic HS)
All-state selection…team captain (high school and club team)…part of 2-year high school 200 free relay state champions and high school champions…individual club state champion…YMCA regional champion…swam for the Billings YMCA Seahawks for 10 years…best times: 100 butterfly (59.43), 200 butterfly (2:12.40), 100 backstroke (59.76), and 200 backstroke (2:14.89).
“Sami is dolphin-kick specialist with exceptional times in all distances of backstroke and butterfly,” Peters said. “She also has a decent breaststroke and therefore solid 200 and 400 IM times. Sami has such an amazing attitude and impacts a team in a very positive manner. She will have a tremendous influence on workouts every day.”
Erin Fons (Breast/Free, Windsor, Wis./DeForest HS)
Three-time state meet qualifier…2014 state champion as part of the 200 medley relay…finished third in the state in 100 breaststroke in 2014…finished eighth in the state in 100 breaststroke in 2013…team captain…swam for DFAC Swimming club for nine years….holds club record in 200 LCM Breaststroke…junior nationals qualifier in 50 breaststroke….four-year letter-winner…best times: 100 breaststroke (1:05.89), 200 breaststroke (2:29.54).
“Erin is a game-changer with extensive experience performing well in high pressure situations,” Peters said. “Last week, Erin anchored the Wisconsin state champion 200 medley relay and moved up from seventh to third in the 100 breaststroke with a lifetime-best 1:05.89 in finals. Erin has her sights set on becoming a national level breaststroker and she knows the best way to accomplish that is to join a program with great breaststrokers who will push her limits every day.”
Lexi Heil (Sprint Free/Breaststroke, Albertville, Minn./St. Michael Albertville HS)
Team captain…set school record in 50 freestyle (24.89)…has best time of 54.67 in 100 free…anchored the section 8AA champion 200 medley relay with a 23.86…team captain…earned All-American consideration in two relays….swam for Sea Devils Swim Team for eight years.
“Lexi has such an infectious enthusiasm for swimming and knows how to come through when her teammates need it most,” Peters said. “Lexi is a phenomenal sprinter and has untapped breaststroke skills. She will be the core of our new sprint group and we plan to develop her breaststroke as she has a 100 time of 1:11.54, with very little experience in the event.”
Natalie Huntley (Sprint Free, Maplewood, Minn./North St. Paul HS)
2014 State qualifier…All-conference selection…part of 400 freestyle relay that set school record in 2012…section finalist every year since 2010…five-year letter-winner in swimming and diving….swam for the St. Croix Swim Club.
“Natalie was an immediate perfect fit for our team and she will be an integral part of our sprint program,” Peters said. “Natalie showed significant improvement at the end of this season and we are excited to help her advance to an even higher level as a college athlete.”
Linnea Johnson (Back/Free, Vadnais Heights, Minn./White Bear Lake HS)
All-conference selection…team MVP…six-year letter-winner in swimming and diving…best times: 50 free (25.65), 100 free (55.13), 200 free (2:03) and 100 back (1:03)…swam for UMCA Mariners in White Bear Lake for nine years.
“We have gotten to know Linnea well over the past four years as she has attended our swimming camp multiple times and we have maintained close contact with her family,” Peters said. “Linnea has shown tremendous improvement and is ready to break out as a college swimmer. Linnea will be another essential member of a resurgent sprint group.”
Natalie Kampa (Fly/Free, Plymouth, Minn./Osseo HS)
Part of 200 medley relay that set school record…four-time all-conference…two-time team captain…team MVP as a freshman…swam for New Hope Crystal Plymouth Club for 10 years…had a great finish to the 2014 season with a lifetime best in the 200 free, missing the automatic state cut by 0.02 sec.
“Natalie is a versatile swimmer with solid times in the 200’s of free (1:56.53), fly (2:11.22) and back (2:18.29),” Peters said. “Natalie can also swim the mile (18:31.41) and 100’s of free (55.42), back (1:02.09) and fly (59.07). Natalie can be successful in just about any event and it will be fun to decide what college events are the best for her.”
Linnaya Luoma (Free/Breast, Shepherd, Mont./Skyview HS)
Team MVP all years of high school….three-time team captain…finished second in the state in the 200 breaststroke and fourth in the 50 freestyle…was fifth in the 50 free and sixth in the 100 breast as a sophomore…was fifth in the state in the 50 free and seventh in the 100 breast as a freshman…swam for BAC Stingrays for eight years.
“Linnaya is very versatile swimmer who can swim the 50 free (24.70), 100 breaststroke (1:08.58) and 100 fly (1:02.16),” Peters said. “We knew Linnaya was a perfect fit for our program as soon as we met her and we are very fortunate to have her join us next year.”
Madalyn Winger (Free/IM, Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria HS)
All-conference honoree…named team’s Hardest Worker…five-year letter-winner…swam for Alexandria Swim Club for six years and for St. Cloud State YMCA Swim Team in St. Cloud for two…best times: 500 free (5:31.33), 200 free (2:05.2) and 200 IM (2:21.75).
“Madalyn is going to give us great depth in the distance events and we think she has great potential in the 400 IM,” Peters said. “Madalyn comes highly recommended from multiple coaches and we are eager to work with her.”
Above is a press release submitted by MSUM.