Burnsville, Minn. – With the 2019-20 swim season kicking off on Friday, the Northern State University swim team has been picked seventh overall in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
Northern State swimming finished 1-8 overall and 0-6 in the NSIC a season ago. The Wolves finished seventh as a team from the NSIC Championships, earning 210 total points. Hannah Kastigar brought home four All-Conference honors and was the NSIC Champion in the 400 IM, 200 IM, and 200 fly. She qualified for the NCAA National Championships, competing in the 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 fly, and 200 breaststroke. The Aberdeen native tallied All-American performances in each event and was crowned the NCAA Champion in the 400 IM with a time of 1:59.78. NSU graduated six seniors in Makyl Ziegler, Maida Walters, Sierra Ohm, Hannah Kastigar, Kalina Emaus, and Ashley Dunn.
 
NSU enters the 2019-20 season under the direction of 3-year head coach Nicole Monanian and second year graduate assistant Maddie Samples. The Wolves return 11 swimmers from last season, with 11 incoming freshman and transfers. The recruiting class is the largest of Monanian's career with the Wolves and brings in talent both nationally and internationally. The NSU roster sports swimmers from four different countries and 11 different states.
 
Lauren Forsyth was picked as the team's swimmer to watch for the season. She was a member of the South African National team, ranking top-50 in six different events including the 200 fly. Forsyth holds personal records of 26.95 in the 50 fly, 58.50 in the 100 fly, and 55.31 in the 100 free (converted times); which would rank her in the top-8 of the NSIC.
 
2019-20 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll

1	St. Cloud State (7)	49
2	Minnesota State (1)	42
3	Sioux Falls	36
4	Augustana	33
5	University of Mary	23
6	MSU Moorhead	20
7	Northern State	14
8	Southwest Minnesota State	7