Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University swim team opens the 2017-18 season tomorrow from the Augustana Triangular, against the Vikings and the University of Mary. The three teams will race in the two day triangular beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. on Saturday.
 
The Wolves team return in 2017-18 after a 5-9 record in 2016-17. NSU tallied dual meet victories over U-Mary (209-52), Augustana (146-116), Minnesota Morris (214-79), U-Mary (192-67), and U-Mary again (72-23) in 2016-17. The Wolves return 15 swimmers and add four newcomers this season. Nicole Monanian enters her first season as head coach of the Wolves after spending two seasons as the graduate assistant coach. Her first recruiting class consists of Gabby Becker (Aberdeen, S.D.), Madi Knutson (Bemidji, Minn.), Lexie Malimanek (Vermillion, S.D.), and Hazel Ohm (Watertown, S.D.). Included in the 15 returns, are NCAA competitors Hannah Kastigar and Edda Skoric. Kastigar returns for the Wolves after a breakout season in 2016-17. The senior captured 13 school records, was an 8-time NSIC Swimmer of the Week, named the NSIC Newcomer and Swimmer of the Year, earned four NCAA All-American awards, and tallied two national championships in the 400 IM and 200 fly. Skoric qualified for the NCAA Championships in her first season with the Wolves. The freshman tallied six school records. She finished 11th overall in the 200 back earning the first All-American honors of her career. Northern was picked fifth overall in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 15 total points.
 
About the Vikings
- Augustana enters the second year of the swimming program after a fifth place finish from the NSIC Championships on 2016-17
- They return Emma Miller, the NSIC Champion in the 1,000 free who posted an NCAA B-cut time of 10:26.85
- Kelsey Gilbert was picked as the Vikings swimmer to watch in 2016-17
- The Vikings are led by head coach Lindsie Micko who is in her third season after building the program from scratch
 
Last Season
- Northern went 1-1 in 2016-17 versus Augustana falling 139-123 at home, and winning 146-116 on the road
- In the first meeting, Hannah Kastigar (200 fly, 400 IM), Kady Harris (100 breast), Kayla Sproles (50 free), and Edda Skoric (200 back) tallied race victories.
- In the second meeting, the 400 medley relay team of Skoric, Harris, Sproles, and Kastigar won the race to open the meet.
- Individual first place finishers included Kastigar (1000 free, 200 fly, 400 IM), Skoric (200 free), Harris (100 breast), and Sproles (50 free, 100 free).
 
 
About the Marauders
- U-Mary is also entering the second year of the program after going 3-5 in dual meets in 2016-17
- The Marauders return NSIC finals qualifiers Melissa Andrews, Alyssa Boese, and Kate Murphy
- Mary Williamson was picked as the Marauders swimmer to watch in 2017-18
- Mary is led by head coach Allan McCallum
 
Last Season
- Northern went 3-0 against the Marauders in 2016-17, including 72-23 victory in the sprint pentathlon.
- In the first meeting, Hannah Kastigar (200 fly, 400 IM), Kady Harris (100 breast), Kayla Sproles (50 free), and Edda Skoric (200 back) tallied race victories.
- In the second win of the season, Northern tallied 13 first place finishes in the 16 events.
- Top finishers included the 200 medley relay of Kastigar, Harris, Karlie Brown, and Sproles, the 200 free relay team of Kastigar, Skoric, Sproles, and Sierra Ohm, Kalina Emaus (1650 free, 200 fly, 500 free), Kastigar (200 free, 100 fly), Sproles (100 free, 50 free), Skoric (100 back, 200 back), Harris (100 breast), and Brown (200 breast).
- From the sprint pentathlon, Kastigar was the overall champion after winning the 50 fly, 50 back, 50 breast, 50 free, and 100 IM.