MHS swimmers thinking big again
There’s a gifted group of experienced swimmers back.
The freshman class has everyone excited.
And even though Middleton’s girls swimming and diving coach R.J. Leiferman won’t use the ‘R’ word, everyone inside the program knows repeating as WIAA Division 1 state champions is a strong possibility.
Middleton begins its new season Friday with a dual meet at Madison Memorial at 5 p.m.
“Winning state last year was a great accomplishment, and something our girls were very proud to have achieved,” Leiferman said. “That being said, we know this is a new year, and we are only focused on what we need to do to make this year a success.”
The Cardinals seem positioned to have the kind of success last year’s gifted group had. And it starts with Middleton’s tremendous returners.
Sophomore Brynn Sundell finished fifth individually at state in the 500-yard freestyle and sixth in the 200-yard freestyle. Sundell was also a key member of Middleton’s third place 400-yard freestyle relay and its fifth place 200-yard medley relay team.
“Brynn had a great freshman year, and has continued to improve since then,” Leiferman said. “She is extremely versatile, and can compete at a high level in any event.”
Junior Sulia Miller was eighth at state in the 50-yard freestyle and ninth in the 100-yard freestyle. She was also a key cog on Middleton’s second place 200-yard freestyle relay team and joined Sundell on the third place 400-yard freestyle relay team.
“Sulia had a breakout year as a sophomore in sprint freestyle, and we are very excited to see what she does this year,” Leiferman said. “She has also become a great leader for our team.”
Senior Audrey Alexander also scored in four events at state last year. Alexander was ninth in the 200-yard freestyle and 13th in the 50-yard freestyle. She was also a big part of Middleton’s second place 200-yard freestyle relay team and third place 400-yard freestyle relay team.
“Audrey comes back after scoring in all four of her events at state last year, and she will be key for us in the freestyle events again this year,” Leiferman said.
Senior Isabell Frommelt was 20th in the 50-yard freestyle and 24th in the 200-yard freestyle at state.
“Isabell is another versatile swimmer who has competed at state both her sophomore and junior years, and will be strong in the butterfly and IM,” Leiferman said.
Sophomore Rian Jost was 14th at state in the 100-yard breaststroke and was part of the Cardinals’ fifth place 200-yard medley relay team.
“Rian is our top returning breaststroker, and we are looking for her to continue to lead the way for us after a strong freshman season,” Leiferman said.
Senior Hannah Machleidt was 24th at state in the 500-yard freestyle and seems poised to finish her career with a bang.
“Hannah had a very good summer season, and we are looking for her to continue to be one of our top distance freestylers,” Leiferman said.
Junior Clara Kiehl was a key member of Middleton’s second place 200-yard freestyle relay team at state.
“Clara made a huge jump last season, and swam a key leg of our second place 200 free relay at state,” Leiferman said. “We expect her to continue to play an important role for us this season.”
And Middleton has two standout senior divers in Olivia Davis and Avery Potrzebowski. Davis was eighth at state last year, while Potrzebowski missed out on state due to an injury.
“Olivia comes back for her senior year after finishing last year with her highest place at state yet, and will look to continue to move up this year,” Leiferman said. “Avery is another talented diver who unfortunately missed the state meet last year with an injury, but we are looking forward to having her back this year, and she will be an important part of our team at the state meet.”
Leiferman added that senior diver Rita Vavilov “could play an important role this year.”
And Leiferman knows his ballyhooed freshman class will certainly play an important role.
That gifted group is led by Jane Garlock (sprint freestyle and backstroke), Abigail Frommelt (IM and butterfly), Helen Machleidt (breaststroke), Tae Martin (backstroke) and Poppy Sickler (distance freestyle).
Others that could contribute include Olivia Rashid, Ellie Wolf, Addi Haack, and Gianna Gabert.
“Our incoming freshman class is very talented, and we are excited to see how they contribute over the course of the season,” Leiferman said.
Middleton, which has won four state titles since 2016, will be among the frontrunners to hoist gold again. Other schools like Verona, Arrowhead and Oregon will challenge, though.
Leiferman simply can’t wait to get started and to see what his talented group of Cardinals can accomplish.
“Based on what we have seen the first few days of practice we feel we have another solid team, and we are all excited to start competing,” Leiferman said. “Our goal through the season is to focus on our team, and improve every day to be as fast as possible at the end of the season, and if we can do that it will be a successful season.”
