Swimming & Diving | 10/10/2017 4:50:00 PM

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MOORHEAD, Minn. — The Minnesota State University Moorhead women's swimming and diving team opens the regular season this week. The Dragons will compete at Northern State on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and then host U-Mary in their home opener at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Nemzek Pool in Moorhead, Minn.

A talented veteran core leads the Dragons into 2017-18. That includes senior Erin Sullivan, who was a two-time NSIC champion and a national qualifier in multiple events last season. Sullivan had 19 wins, 11 runner-up finished and team-best 688.50 points scored.

In fact, including Sullivan, MSUM returns four of its top five point scorers. Junior Taylor Beynon is back after recording 670.70 points and 14 wins a year ago. Sophomore Breah Anderson was third on the team with 10 wins and 540.75 points scored a year ago. Sophomore Leticia Rodovalho was fourth on the team with 410.5 points scored.

"We have the most accomplished returning group in the program's history.  Erin Sullivan, Breah Anderson and Taylor Beynon all competed at nationals last season and are already swimming faster than at this point a year ago," said MSUM head coach Todd Peters, in his 21st season. "All three have much to prove this year after some tough missed opportunities.  Sullivan had the second fastest 100 backstroke time leading off the 400 medley relays at the NCAA DII National Meet and had a legitimate shot at a national championship the next day until she sprained her ankle that night.  Anderson was hit with a nasty flu bug at the conference meet and swam just fast enough to get the Dragon relays qualified for nationals.  Beynon was essentially the last person to miss the individual national cut-off, coming 0.30 seconds short in the 400 IM. The Dragons will also welcome top breaststroker, Erin Fons, back to the team after she spent a year off recovering from an injury."

Sullivan, Jessica Colby and Molly O'Brien are the three seniors on the Dragon roster.

Junior Amber Westereng is the top diver returning. She had three wins and 201 points scored a year ago.

One newcomer who will make an impact is sophomore Grace Moffat, a transfer from the University of the Cumberlands. She was the Mid South Conference Freshman Swimmer of the Year in 2016-17 and earned four all-conference honors. Several other freshmen will contribute as well.

"The freshman class adds a pair of strong divers, Ali Grinde and Camille Ashfeld, to a quartet of strong returners.  Diving should again be a cornerstone for Dragon success.  Katie Kaminski will make an immediate impact in the 200 fly and breaststroke and the 400 IM," Peters said. "Julia Wallace will add depth to the backstroke events.  The major addition is transfer Grace Moffat.  Moffat was a top qualifier at last year's NAIA national meet and will lead the Dragon distance and butterfly events."

A goal for the season is to get national relay qualifying times.
 
"The major goal is to get national relay qualification times, especially in the medley relays," Peters said. "The big question is who will take the fourth relay leg spot with Ashley Higgins graduating and Natalie Kampa ending her swimming career for academic reasons."