PREP GIRLS SWIMMING: Mishler, Brenneman names to know for 2023-24 campaign
Nov. 16—The 2023-24 girls swimming and diving season brings question marks to the area as state relay teams and individual standouts leave the high school scene, leaving open spots up for grabs.
Concord and Northridge are impacted by this the most after placing 6th and 13th respectively as a team at state last season.
The Minutemen and Raiders join Wawasee in watching three-quarters of their 200-yard medley relay team's graduate. Two juniors and a senior are what remains from those teams.
Junior Julie Mishler carries the load for the Warriors going into this season. Mishler, in addition to the 6th-placed 200-yard medley relay team, placed third in the 50-yard freestyle, third at the 100-yard freestyle and a 200-yard freestyle relay team that also placed third at state.
Junior Mya Ernsberger returns for Concord alongside sophomore Catie Brenneman who placed in the top 10 in both the 200 and 500-yard freestyle last year at the state competition.
Northridge's loses a lot of production but one name to know on the Raiders side is Izzy Melvin who enters her sophomore season in Middlebury.
Goshen sees some new faces and returns a few from last season. Finishing 4-3 in conference last season, the RedHawks have a hill to climb with stiff competition in the NLC again.
Coaching staffs, rosters and words from our area coaches are all included below.
CONCORD MINUTEMEN
Last season: 9-2 (7-0 NLC)
Head coach: Tom Johnson, 17th season (110-28 overall record)
Assistant coaches: Nicolle Corporon, Hayden Ludlow, Dave Rose, Jenna Lechlitner
Returning letterwinners: Christine Angel, Catie Brenneman, Mya Ernsberger, Avery McDowell, Mady Oiler, Serena Poindexter, Megan Posthauer, Gia Sponseller, Kalia Starzyk, Maggie Weldy, Jade Witt
Other varsity players: Bella Biggers, Maddie McDonald, Mya Pressler, Xiomara Salinas, Whitney Sotebeer, Julia Witt, Brynlee Yoder
Word from coach: "Our women's team graduated our biggest and fastest class in our history, so we have many holes to fill. We do have a large group of incoming freshmen that can contribute, as well as many of our returning swimmers and divers who will have a bigger role this year. We have a significant hill to climb in order to match the success our team has had at the state level over the past few years, but at this point, we feel like our team has embraced that challenge."
GOSHEN REDHAWKS
Last season: 11-4 (4-3 NLC)
Head coach: Laura Rupp, 3rd season (18-10 overall record)
Assistant coaches: Katie Younghans, Rick Hetler
Returning letterwinners: Daphne Cid, Jetci Cid, Addi Dierickx, Maggie Dorn, Azuna Espino, Olivia Goertz, Lydia Griffith
Other varsity players: Grace Kercher, Great Miller, Angelina Olmedo Qunitos, Ziry Salinas
Word from coach: "One team goal for this season is dropping times. We are already showing progress by putting the work in everyday at practice and working together as a team to accomplish all our goals. We will represent the Goshen community with pride."
NORTHRIDGE RAIDERS
Last season: 8-6 (5-2, NLC)
Head coach: Seth Cripe, 2nd season (8-6 overall record)
Assistant coaches: Bob Burns, Marissa Gardner, Shelley LaLime, Hannah Estes, Caleb Cripe
Returning letterwinners: Cora Gephart, Faye Hunsberger, Izzy Melvin, Abby Sullivan, Carigan Tabor, Audrey Yeater
Other varsity players: Emily Arpin, Lily Bekhterev, Sophia Bromley, Ayvah Brown, Abriana Consiglio, Julieasa De LaLuz, Alyssa Eads, Bella Estep, Melea Jackson, Addie Judd, Samathan Kantz, Emma Ritchie, Willow Staley, Ada Wagner, Alivia Wilburn, Ava Yeater
Word from coach: "This team has a lot of new faces. With a solid group of returning letterwinners, this season is all about everyone playing a critical role in the team's success. I look forward to our returners stepping up and leading the team and allowing our new athletes to see success, along with our returners playing a critical role in continuing the legacy of Northridge Lady Raider swimming and diving. Loyalty, sacrifice, and leadership will play a huge role in what this team accomplishes this year."
NORTHWOOD PANTHERS
Last season: 7-10 (1-6 NLC)
Head coach: Brooke Rasler, 1st season
Assistant coaches: Doug Berger, Mike Jansen, Morgan Conrad, Brooklyn Freeland, Caden Jenkins
Returning letterwinners: Chloe Davidhizar, Brooke Faller, Laura Faller, Kloe Mills, Lydia Schmucker, Victoria Vega, Eden Wiggins
Other varsity players: Mady Blakely, Delany Giddings, Karlie Hershberger, Elena Paganoni, Gabriela Poblador Tolosana, Lisette Eberle
Word from coach: "We lost a lot of valuable seniors last year, but still have a pretty good group of returners. Our goal this year is to continue to improve on our times, develop our new swimmers, and just continue to strive to be better than we were at the start of the season or even last year. We have a good amount of swimmers putting in a lot of hard work so far, and we are optimistic on how they will continue to improve throughout the season."
WAWASEE WARRIORS
Last season: 7-1 (6-1 NLC)
Head coach: Jason Scott, 5th season (overall record unknown)
Assistant coaches: Ryan Harper, Dawn Yoder, Hayden Neer
Returning letterwinners: Delaney Delagrange (Sr), Emma Yoder (Sr), Emma Young (Sr), Addison Beasley (Jr), Claudia Campal Martin (Jr), Katie Doss (Jr), Julie Mishler (Jr), Brooklyn Roose (Jr), Macey Rosbrugh (Jr), Josie Gibbs (So)
Other varsity players: Sofia Caligara (Jr), Reese Beasley (Fr), Sarah Cheng (Fr), McKenna Close (Fr), Addison Delagrange (Fr), Sophia Higgins (Fr), Bailey Hursey (Fr), Addison Manning (Fr), Ella Schmucker (Fr), Addisyn Sizemore (Fr)
Word from coach: "Should be a good year. Kids are working hard and learning fast!"
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This is a part of The Goshen News' 2023 Winter Sports Preview. You can find similar previews on other winter sports here.
Reach Matt Lucas at 574-533-2151, ext. 240325, or at matt.lucas@goshennews.com.
