Alexandria Girls Swim Team Shines at 2024 MSHSL Class A State Championships
The Alexandria girls swimming and diving team concluded their 2024 season at the MSHSL Class A State Championships on Nov. 15-16, 2024, in Minneapolis. They participated in five events, with their best result coming from the 200-yard medley relay, where they finished 14th. The team, consisting of sophomore Hannah Hoff, senior Grace Urke, junior Cora Bumgarner, and senior Rayna Holm, improved from 16th place in the prelims on Nov. 15 to secure 14th in the finals with a time of 1:55.39.
Rayna Holm also swam in the 200-yard freestyle, finishing 26th in the prelims with a time of 2:03.29. Grace Urke placed 18th in the 100-yard backstroke prelims in 1:02.27 and 21st in the 200-yard IM with a time of 2:16.58. Hannah Hoff, another sophomore, placed 20th in the 100-yard backstroke prelims with a time of 1:02.47. Additionally, sophomore Addy Erickson finished 23rd in the 500-yard freestyle prelims at 5:37.31.
The team scored six points in the meet and finished 35th overall. Head coach Mark Storhaug noted that the seniors led the team in scoring this year and remarked on their impressive performances during their final competition. Orono won the team state title with 259 points.
Interview with Coach Mark Storhaug of the Alexandria Girls Swimming and Diving Team
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Coach Storhaug. The Alexandria girls swimming and diving team recently wrapped up their season at the MSHSL Class A State Championships. Can you share your overall thoughts on the team’s performance at the state meet?
Coach Mark Storhaug: Thank you for having me. I was really proud of how the girls performed at the state meet, especially given the challenges they faced. Finishing 14th in the 200-yard medley relay was a highlight for us, as it showcased their teamwork and determination. They improved from 16th in the prelims to 14th in the finals, which is a testament to their hard work and resilience.
Interviewer: It sounds like the relay team made a significant impact. Can you break down how the team members contributed to that success?
Coach Storhaug: Certainly! Our relay team consisted of Hannah Hoff, Grace Urke, Cora Bumgarner, and Rayna Holm. Each swimmer played a crucial role, and their combined effort resulted in that 14th-place finish. They were all focused and executed their parts excellently. It’s especially impressive considering this was their first time competing on such a big stage together, and they were able to improve their time to 1:55.39 in the finals.
Interviewer: Individually, several swimmers also competed in various events. How did they fare, and what can you tell us about their performances?
Coach Storhaug: Rayna Holm had a solid swim in the 200-yard freestyle, finishing 26th in prelims. Grace Urke performed well in the 100-yard backstroke, placing 18th, and also participated in the 200-yard IM where she came in 21st. Hannah Hoff also swam the 100-yard backstroke and finished 20th. Addy Erickson competed in the 500-yard freestyle, placing 23rd. While we had hoped for even stronger finishes, I believe all of these athletes gained invaluable experience that they can build on for the future.
Interviewer: The team finished with six points and placed 35th overall. Despite this, you mentioned pride in their participation. What do you attribute the results to, especially in comparison to their performances at the Section 8A Meet?
Coach Storhaug: It was disappointing that we couldn’t replicate the strong times we saw at the Section 8A Meet; we had tapered well for that competition. However, the experience of competing at state is something that cannot be overlooked. Many of our seniors led the scoring this year, and they really stepped up in their final competition. Our focus now is on what we’ve learned and how we can improve as we look toward the next season.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the upcoming season, considering the team’s performance this year?
Coach Storhaug: Our primary goal is to continue developing our younger swimmers while also reinforcing the strong foundation that our seniors have established. We want to build on this year’s experience, focusing specifically on improving individual times and teamwork. I believe that with dedication and the right mindset, we can come back even stronger next year.
Interviewer: Thank you, Coach Storhaug, for your insights. We look forward to seeing how the Alexandria girls swimming team progresses in the future.
Coach Mark Storhaug: Thank you, it’s been a pleasure. We’re excited for what lies ahead!
Despite tapering and showing strong times at the Section 8A Meet, the team struggled to replicate those performances at state. Coach Storhaug expressed pride in their participation, highlighting the medley relay as a notable achievement.