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The Pipers are also adding a new training approach to go along with their new look rosterčmore dry-land training and lifting. “We want to be the strongest, most fit, and most mentally prepared team in the conference,” said Hanson.

Some of this year’s goals set forth by the team, as well as Hanson, include seeing more individuals placing in the top eight of their events, which would allow them to go into the final heat of that event.

The team is also looking to make a jump in the conference standings, and, with that, they hope to also add some individual and team records.

Both the men’s and women’s teams finished in eighth place at last year’s MIAC championships and are looking to swim up from that position this winter.

Another lofty goal the Pipers have set forth is to take athletes to nationals, which Hamline wasn’t able to do last year.

The women’s team dominated dual meet competition last year, winning all but one of their dual meets, and have now entered tougher meets this season to raise the bar. Hanson’s goal in these meets is to see his team work hard and improve the team’s times.

Hanson will be counting on his returners for leadership and to have a strong work ethic, which will help the team come together and reach their goals.

On the men’s side, senior captain Ed Allgeyer is a strong leader who will swim the back stroke this season.

Junior John Burgess and sophomore Ryan Beckman are also along the top male returners to the squad this season.

Burgess finished 12th in the MIAC last season in the 50-meter freestyle.

The Pipers also welcome back junior Ben Gensmer, who returns to the team after taking a year off, and Hanson is excited to have him as another addition to the team.

The women’s team is led and paced by senior captain Adrianne Walls and senior Thyra Jagger. Walls took ninth place in the 1,000-meter freestyle and eleventh in the 1650-meter freestyle last season. Last season, Jagger placed sixth in the one-meter, six dives, and tenth in the three-meter, six dives.

Both women scored points for Hamline last season at the MIAC championships and are looking to make the finals of their events this year

Hanson is also looking forward to seeing junior Jamie Alpert back in the pool this year after she missed all of last season due to injuries, and excited about the addition of Julian Borgia, the top recruit on the men’s team. Borgia is a strong diver and will also swim for the Pipers.

The women are looking forward to the addition of their own recruits, including Aly Janzen, who finished third in the high-school state meet in the 500-meter freestyle last season.

The Pipers are also looking for contributions from their other recruits, including Dana Ketcher, Lindsey Swanson, Tami Klenke, and Nadia Labyad.

With the new season underway, Hanson is excited to see this year’s results and is “looking to make a new name for Hamline in the conference and the nation.”