By Sarah K. Simon
Over the past few years of following the Agates Swim and Dive Team, which includes athletes from Two Harbors, Marshall, and Grand Marais, I’ve watched them grow stronger, faster, and more unified. They push themselves. They lift each other up. And this season, they’ve outdone themselves, finishing undefeated in dual meets.
Last year, the team placed second in the Iron Range Conference, their highest finish since joining in 2021. The year before, they landed fourth. This fall, they hosted the conference meet at the Two Harbors High School Pool on October 23, welcoming Mesabi East, International Falls, Northeast Range Ely, and Chisholm.
And yes, I’ll say it because it’s true—the Agates blew their com petition out of the water. With 518 points to second-place Mesabi East’s 428, they claimed the title of Conference Champions.
“Trying to find the words to ex plain the emotions of last night because these girls have left me speechless,” posted Head Coach Heather Mayfield the following day. “If you know me, that’s not easy!!”
While the exact date of their last conference title remains unclear, the team hadn’t been part of the conference for 16 years.
“They were fired up, they were ready to go,” posted Mayfield. “They built each other up, and with the excitement of the night matched with the honor of hosting, these girls lit the pool up last night!”
Eight swimmers earned All-Conference Honors. Harper Smith led the charge, taking first in diving and setting a meet record. Fellow diver Wynne Scandin earned second.
Smith also placed second in the 100 backstroke, securing another All-Conference nod. Senior Bella Imholte repeated her first-place finish in that event and added a meet record in the 200 freestyle, leaving yet another lasting legacy at her home tank.
Lucy Lane mirrored last year’s performance with second in the 200 freestyle and first in the 500. Brynn von Goertz dominated the sprints, taking first in both the 50 and 100 freestyles. Rylee Schmitz earned second in the 200 Individual Med ley, and Aria Oswald-Swenson took second in the 100 breaststroke.
The very next day, upperclassmen cheered on 13 younger teammates, grades 7 through 9, at the Black and Blue Championship at Lincoln Park Middle School. The girls took second place, signaling a bright future for the program.
After a whirlwind week, the team took a well-earned break, renting out the Harbor Theater on October 25 to watch Young Woman and the Sea.
“Holy smokes, are we all inspired!” posted the coach. That inspiration will fuel their next challenge: sectionals, scheduled for November 6 at Lincoln Middle School.
In case you missed our previous article, Making Every Lap Count: Agates Swim Team Fundraise for Pool Upgrades, these girls have been working hard, not just in the pool and in the classroom, but also to raise money for new starting blocks. The current blocks are outdated, and after their recent Swim-A-Thon, the team is asking for the community’s help. To donate, contact Heather Mayfield at heatheroberg29@gmail.com or call 218-391-8629.
Congratulations to the Agates Swim and Dive team for the incredible season and good luck in up coming sectionals!
