2006-2007 Swimming and Diving Review
The Blazers finished off a strong season with their new freshman swimmers, but also made an impact on the division three swimming and diving world with their stellar returning upperclassman.
Saint Ben’s finished the 2006-07 season with a fourth place finish at the 2007 MIAC Swimming and Diving Championships. The 200 yard freestyle relay, that consisted of sophomores Kelly Matzen (Eden Prairie, Minn./ Eden Prairie), Brooke Johnson (St. Cloud, Minn./ Tech), Alison Pagliaccetti (Virginia, Minn./ Virginia) and Becca Schleicher (Avon, Minn./ Albany) qualified for Nationals. The same relay also placed fourth in the 400 yard freestyle relay. Other top finishers at the MIAC included junior Kaelly Simpson (Plano, Texas/ Frisco) who earned third place in the 200 yard breaststroke, Matzen with a fifth place finish in the 100 yard backstroke, and first year Abbey Brau (Eden Prairie, Minn./ Eden Prairie) with a fourth place finish in the 1650 yard freestyle. The 200 Freestyle relay of Pagliaccetti, Matzen, Schleicher, and Johnson also broke the previous school record with a time of 1:37.97 from the former record of 1:38.66.
Saint Benedict represented itself well with five All-MIAC athletes. This honor was given to Simpson, Pagliaccetti, Matzen, Schleicher, and Johnson. Junior Jill London (Nisswa, Minn. / Brainerd) was also chosen to be on the MIAC Sportsmanship team.
The College of Saint Benedict swimming and diving team was named by the CSCAA as one of the top academic teams in the country. The squad averaged a 3.31 GPA, one of the best among division three women.
Abbey Brau was voted team MVP while fellow first-year Taylor Kannawin (Parker, Colo./ Regis Jesuit) was tabbed with the most improved award. Senior Mandy Buzzelli (Coon Rapids, Minn./ Coon Rapids) ended her college career on a high note, she was awarded the coach’s award.
The Blazers finished off a great season and ready to come back next year with more experience under their belt to bring a challenge to the other MIAC conference teams.
-Kathy Walker, Swimming and Diving Head Coach
Athletic Department
College of Saint Benedict
37 South College Avenue
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-5301
Fax 320-363-6098