BURNSVILLE, Minn. -  The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released on Thursday the 2018-19 NSIC Preseason Swimming & Diving Coaches' Poll. The Northern State University Wolves were picked sixth place with 10 total points, while senior Hannah Kasitgar was named as the NSIC Preseason Swimmer of the Year.
 
NSU will start the season at Augustana University Tiangular this Friday and Saturday. Team participating in the triangular are Northern State, Augustana, and University of Mary. The first event will start at 5:30 on Friday evening and Saturday will have two sessions with the first session starting at 10 a.m. and the second session at 3:30 p.m.

Northern State returns in 2018-19 after a 2-12 record in the regular season last year with a 144-117 victory over University of Mary and a 158-73 victory over Minnesota Morris. Wolves bring back 13 swimmers back from last year and five newcomers for the 2018-19 season. Out of the 13 returners; six seniors, four juniors, and three sophomores. Four new freshmen are added to the roster with a junior college transfer Shayna Asuncion. Ascuncion transferred from Iowa Lakes Community College were she had seven podium finishes at the NJCAA Championships.
 
Swimmer to watch is Hannah Kastigar returning for her senior season. Kastigar won two NCAA championships in the 400 IM and the 200 butterfly in the 2016-17 season. Kalina Emaus placed seventh in the NSIC Championships with a fifth place finish in the 200 fly, a seventh place in 1000 free, and seventh in 1650 free.
 
The NSIC sponsored women's swimming and diving during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic years with the aid of affiliated members. During the 2016-17 season, NSIC Swimming and Diving returned. The NSIC Swimming and Diving season will get underway this weekend with the season culminating at the NSIC Swimming & Diving Championship on February 13-17, 2018 at the Midco Aquatic Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.


 

NSIC Preseason Poll             Overall Points

1. St. Cloud State (4) .......................... 34

2. Minnesota State (3) ........................ 33

3. Augustana ....................................... 24

4. Sioux Falls...................................... 22

5. MSU Moorhead.............................. 16

6. Northern State................................. 10

7. University of Mary .......................... 8

first place votes in ( )