Luther swimmers competing for 10th straight Liberal Arts Championship

DECORAH – The term ‘defending champion' doesn't properly explain the success of Luther women's swimming at the Liberal Arts Championships.

They are way, way beyond that now.

The Norse are competing for a remarkable 10th consecutive team title at the Division-III meet, which begins in earnest Thursday through Saturday at Principia College in Elsah, Ill.

'The goal is to swim our fastest times of the season at this meet,” first-year Luther Coach Bethany Nicoll said. 'And then also another number one goal is to qualify as many people to nationals as we can.”

Luther is one of five Iowa colleges (along with Coe, Loras, Morningside and Simpson) included in the field of a dozen schools.

While Nicoll had a hand in a sizable portion of the current streak as both a swimmer and assistant coach for the Norse, this will be her first attempt as head coach after taking the reins of both the women's and men's programs following the October resignation of longtime coach Lance Huber.

'It's been really good,” Nicoll said. 'I feel the team is the same team it's always been. It's been a smooth transition.”

Smooth and successful, thanks in part to a talented stable of returners. Led by two-time D-3 backstroke national champion Clare Slagel, six Luther swimmers return to the LAC ready to defend event victories from last season. Sophomores Leah Barkema (100-yard freestyle) and Sam Kraft (200 free) will each defend individual titles, while junior sprinter Emily Anderson and sophomore PIlar Dritz were a part of winning relays.

Two Norse swimmers will attempt to earn a fourth title in four years in their respective events. Former Cedar Rapids Kennedy prep Lexi Scharmer is a three-time winner of the 100 butterfly, while Slagel equaled the feat in three events – the 500 free, 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke.

'It's been a really strong season,” said Slagel, who prepped at Dubuque Hempstead. 'Especially because I feel this year the team has been closer than it has in past years. That really makes for exciting meets and fun practices.”

The LAC serves as the end-of-the-season ‘championship meet' for the Norse and the final opportunity to qualify for the NCAA D-3 national championships, which are Mar. 16-19 in Greensboro, N.C.

Slagel is a seven-time All-American at nationals with two NCAA championships – the 100 backstroke as a sophomore, then the 200 backstroke last season.

'I've been able to push myself but it always relates back to my coaches and my teammates,” Slagel said. 'The only reason I'm successful is because of them. … You can't just tie success back to yourself, but you owe it all to everyone who is supporting you.”

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com