The Otters will miss graduates Micah Zosel, Tyler Kubela and Christian Reed this season, but the returning experience leads to optimism for this season.

“We may not have the largest team, but we have quite a bit of talent and our top guys should be very competitive,” said Head Coach Randy Hansen.  “We are lucky to have several swimmers with state meet experience back this year.  Matthew Tuel placed 16th in the 500 freestyle, Jaden Kwapinski also qualified in the 200 IM and Logan Rott also has state experience from tenth grade.”

Hansen is looking for big seasons from Adrian Blondeau in the free sprints, Rott in the fly and breaststroke, Kwapinski in the fly, free and IM, Tuel and Landon Votava in the distance freestyle events and Reece Hansen in the backstroke.  He also feels that Will Nuss is ready to reach the next level in diving.  Blondeau and Rott will serve as team captains for the Otters.

“Freshman Ethan Strande will get a full season of training with the varsity this year and I can see big drops from him in the breaststroke and IM,” added Coach Hansen.  “Freshman Gabe Carlson could surprise some people in the backstroke also.”

Jason Zosel, Mallory Jarvi (Diving) and Andrew Kowalski (Middle School) will assist Coach Hansen.

“As always, we look to get as many guys as possible to the state meet,” noted Hansen.  “Even though we lost some big points due to graduation, I think the top 3 at sections and top 5 in the CLC are realistic goals again this year.”

Hansen sees Alexandria and Melrose/Sauk Centre as top teams in the Section 5A, with Brainerd and Sartell as the teams to beat in the Central Lakes Conference.