By Becky Walz,
Graduating a combined 24 athletes in 2022 and 2023, the Decorah girls swim team is focused on rebuilding the squad in 2024 with young and new swimmers to the sport.
Leading the relatively inexperienced team for the third season is head coach Loran Storts with Amy Schlake and Molly Holkesvik assisting him poolside.
Going to state
Decorah’s 2023 squad featured 11 letter winners.
The Vikes pushed themselves all season long, dropping time and garnering first place after first place and were looking to defend their North Central Swim Conference title at home in October. However, their quest for a fourth consecutive crown fell short as NCMP won the meet 314 over Decorah’s 275 points. The Vikes’ Liz Bucksa won gold in a pair of individual events, while Joey Vobr and Bella Sailor took home silvers.
At the regional competition, Decorah’s Bucksa swam her way to state in the 50-yard and 500-yard individual freestyle events, while the 200-yard medley relay of Sydney Thompson, Avalea Burns, Sailor and Bucksa put together a time that gave them a state bid.
In the final swim of the season, the Vikings were unable to put points on the board in Marshalltown despite dropping times from their qualifying swims.
Ready to step up
Fifteen of the Vikes’ 29 swimmers this season are new to the team and will look to the returnees for guidance. Among the top letter winners back are Bucksa, Burns and Sailor with state experience. Joining the trio at conference were Grace Baker, Annika Becker, Bridget Bentley, Ava Carolan, Aubree Gesing, Margaret Hahn, Lauren Holthaus, Naomi Kuta, Reagan Lubahn, Isis Timm and McKenzie Tollefson.
The Decorah coach is also excited for the newcomers including Liv Anderson, Adeline Bollinger, Esme Cuevas, McKenna Demaray, Allia Erickson, Adalyn Farley, Sophia Gardner, Molly Kuehner, Kinley Leliefield, Addison Lickiss, Kate Pattison, Jenna Peters, Stella Pole, Jenna Schissel and Ana Simon to experience the competition in the pool.
“We have the necessary speed up front plus depth in all events this season. We are young this season with two-thirds of the team being freshmen and sophomores, which means we will only improve as the season progresses. The girls have already demonstrated early in the season that they are willing to put in the hard work to accomplish team and individual goals,” said Coach Storts.
As the season gets underway, the Viking skipper noted, “We will stay focused on the little things like being consistent in practice, good nutrition and hydration and getting adequate rest. If we trust the process, we will be a very strong team once the championship season gets here.”
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