Season Outlook

The Fighting Sioux restaked their claim on the North Central Conference last season as they captured their 12th conference title in 13 years. The Sioux will look to a group of experienced juniors and seniors for leadership and a talented sophomore class to maintain their hold on the conference title. The Sioux men also made a strong showing at the NCAA Division II Championships as they finished eighth.
Heading up the senior class is co-captain Matt Stinson. A two-time relay All-American, Stinson was a member of the 800 free relay that finished third at last year’s NCAA championship. The 800 free relay team also won first place at the North Central Conference Championship. Individually, Stinson was third in the 500 free, fourth in the 400 IM and sixth in the 1650 free at the NCC championship and was an NCAA qualifier in the 500 free and 1650 free. Seniors Jason Jordan, Ben Lefler and Brad Cota will also provide experience and leadership to a young squad. Jordan was named the team’s most improved swimmer last season.
“The senior class will contribute not only experience and leadership,” said Stromberg. “They also have the ability to score points.”
The Sioux’s sophomores made a big splash during their rookie seasons. Mark Polansky, the NCC Rookie of the Year, took first in the 200 free and 200 back and was a member of the first place 400 medley and 800 free relays at the conference championship. Polansky also was second in the 100 back and 200 medley relay at NCCs. The team’s most valuable swimmer went on to earn five All-America certificates at his first NCAA Championship while finishing fifth in the 200 free and 12th in the 200 back and helped lead the 800 free relay team to a third place finish. The 200 medley relay team and 400 medley relay teams finished seventh while the 400 medley relay team was eighth.
Chris Walsh captured first in the 100 fly and was a member of the first place 400 medley relay, placed second in the 200 IM, 200 fly and 200 medley relay and fifth in the 100 back at the NCC Championship. Walsh also earned All-America honors as a member of the seventh place 200 medley relay and eighth place 400 medley relay teams. Ryan Requist was a member of the conference champion 800 free relay team and placed third in the 200 free and 1650 free, fourth in the 500 free and sixth in the 200 fly. Requist also earned All-America honors as a member of the 800 free relay and was voted the Sioux’s rookie of the year. Other sophomores Stromberg will look to contribute include Eric Adams, David Ashmore, Mike Parrish, Jeremy Hughes and Chris Pribula.
“We had a good group of freshmen last year,” said Stromberg. “And we look to them to step up and make a big impact again this year.”
Juniors Andrew Kalberer and Matt Cory bring experience and scoring ability to the Sioux. Kalberer earned first place honors at the conference meet in the 800 free and 200 fly while taking second in the 500 free and 100 fly. Voted the team’s hardest worker, Kalberer also earned All-America honors as a member of the 800 free relay team that finished third at the NCAA championship. Matt Cory also made an impressive showing at the conference meet turning in a first place finish as a member of the 400 medley relay team and second place finishes in the 100 free, and 200 and 400 free relay teams. Cory also was fourth in the 50 free, 100 fly and 100 back. Cory also earned All-America honors with the 400 medley and 400 free relay teams. Fellow juniors Matt Milner, Todd Sammons and co-captain Gabe Selbo also return to help the Sioux defend their conference title.
The Sioux also have a large group on incoming freshmen including Brad Black, Pete Burmaster, Eric James, Erik Jensen, Paul Schneider and Mike Walz.
“I’m excited for the year,” said Stromberg. “With a large number of talented returnees and a good recruiting class, we look to extending our string of conference titles.”