A year ago, the Becker swimming and diving team put together a fine season and it looks like the theme for this year will be similar, as the Bulldogs should again be tough competitors in the aquatics center.

“I am very excited for this season, as we have a large number of new girls on the team and we are ready to see what they can do,” coach Tina Tamm said.  “We have a great group of athletes and they are ready to win.”

It will be Tamm’s 25th season at the helm, with Kayla Kalinowski (15th year) once again coaching the divers and Avery Tamm back for her fifth season as assistant coach.

Depth will be a strength, as 37 Bulldogs will take to the pool and diving well with their sights set on chasing Conference and Section titles.

“One team goal is to have at least one person qualify for every event at the Section meet 

and another would be to have some state qualifiers come out of that Section meet,” Tamm said of the team’s goals.

The Bulldogs will have four captains - two seniors and two juniors - to lead the team: Gabby Barthel-Scott, Joey Cox, Karli Kirk, and Laila Cook.

Those four are each returning letter-winners, as is sophomore Kailey McGowan.  Then, the Bulldogs sport a large group of fabulous freshmen - Elin Cook, Maggie Graning, Addison Kasper, Grace Mork, Josie Reckelberg, and Avalyn Awalt.

Add it all together and the team will have a great deal of youth while still being experienced.

The Bulldogs will be stressing improvement and flexibility with their events, as they work on lowering their times in the swimming races and increasing the difficulty of their dives.

“With swim/dive events, you have to try and anticipate what the other team is going to do,” Tamm said.  “I have to guess what events they are going to put their girls in so that I can put our best line up together.”

With a solid lineup and intense internal competition, Tamm will be striving once again to have her team peak at the right time.

The coaches and team invite local residents to come and take in a swimming and diving meet, and the Bulldogs surely will not disappoint. 

“Fans can expect to see some really good races,” Tamm said.

The team hosted an invitational Tuesday evening in the season opener.