2010 was a banner year for FHS swimming and diving. The Tigers won the Section 1 True Team meet for the first time in school history; finished runner-up at both the Missota Conference and Section 1AA Championships and established school records in eight of a possible 12 events.
Farmington also racked up a school-record 47 points at the state meet to finish 17th in the final team standings, another school milestone.
While the record 2010 season may seem a tough act to follow, Section 1AAA Coach of the Year Jennifer Marshall, says her 2011 has the ability to do exactly that.
"We have big meet experience, good leadership and team cohesiveness," Marshall said. "The girls are back and ready for bigger and better things."
Another reason for Marshall's optimism is the return of no less than 22 letterwinners from last year's record-breaking squad: seniors Jade Alm, Abby Haugen, Sarah O'Reilly and Victoria Resch; juniors Maddie Alexander, Melanie Brothers, Robin Ellis and Delaney Wright; sophomores Katie Aaron, Nikki Cayard, Brooke Christenson, Sydney Geiger, Chloe Holton, Abby Kampa, Sara Kintner, Kaitlyn O'Reilly, Cora Ruzicka and Hannah Seitzinger and freshmen Kirsten Kracke, Kendall Novak, Ellie Sundet and Hanna Sundt.
Freshman Zoe Avestruz and eighth-grader Chelsea Gehrke should also battle for varsity pool time.
Marshall will miss the presence of all-state performer Elizabeth Wolfe and all-Missota Conference selection Caitlin Kracke who both graduated last spring but there is no shortage of award-winners on this year's team.
2010 MVP Kaitlyn O'Reilly earned all-state honors in the backstroke last fall and along with Kirsten Kracke landed a spot on the all-Missota Conference team. Sarah O'Reilly received all-Missota honorable mention while Ellis was the junior varsity MVP.
With her veteran squad, Marshall said varsity slots in individual events are beginning to fill but some relay positions are still up for grabs.
"Relay personnel is a question mark at this time," she said.
Marshall expects her team to battle defending champion Northfield for the Missota Conference crown while 2010 champion Rochester John Marshall and Rochester Mayo figure to be the teams to beat in Section 1AA.
Section 1AA Assistant Coach of the Year Joe Velaski returns while newcomer John Tegg works with the divers. Tiger boys head coach Ryan Hamen handles the middle school coaching chores.
The Tigers open their 2011 season Thursday, Aug. 25, with a dual meet versus Apple Valley at the Dodge Middle School pool.
