The NMU Swim and Dive Team had an impressive start to their season competing against St. Cloud and Davenport University. In the meetings, the Wildcats emerged on top with a final score of 326.50-140.50 against Davenport and 281-199 against St. Cloud.
Head Coach Heidi Voigt spoke on the weekend’s results, emphasizing that the team was well-prepared and ready to race. She mentioned that the women Wildcats secured victories against both Davenport and St. Cloud, setting the stage for a promising season.
“The women beat Davenport and St. Cloud both days. The great environment on the pool deck, great support, and some absolutely awesome times and performances, Voigt said. “We got three GLIAC athletes of the week this week, so I’m pretty excited about that.”
Sophomore Leo Nolles was named the men’s GLIAC swim athlete of the week, while Junior Abby Harned earned the Diver of the Week title. Freshman Anika Wright was also celebrated as the female swimmer athlete of the week.
Voigt discussed the team’s schedule and the benefits of having an extended period for training. She highlighted the team had a really good training block and a “D load week,” leaving the athletes feeling good, which translated into strong performances. When asked about the team’s depth, Voigt expressed her excitement in the Women Wildcats versatility, which allows the athletes to try different events and showcase their skills. This flexibility has been valuable, and the team looks forward to mixing up their schedules, giving the ‘Cats a lot of pieces to play with.
Voigt suggested looking at the midseason meet in mid-December for an accurate assessment of where the Wildcats stand within the league. At that point, all teams would have had the opportunity to compete in races with the use of high-tech suits, providing a more balanced playing field for comparison.
The Wildcats’ strong start to the season sets a positive tone for the months to come. With a week off in-between meets, it’s important for the cats to remain focused and well prepared to keep up the good play. The Wildcats face off next against Saginaw Valley and Findlay on Friday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. and Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. against Grand Valley State.
