When head coach Tina Tamm enters the pool for her 23rd season as head coach, she’ll be greeted by an experienced squad that includes 18 returning letter winners from a year ago.

That veteran presence, along with a stellar group of divers, is enough to give Tamm a high level of confidence heading into this season’s campaign.

“We have a lot of returning athletes that will be very beneficial to the team scores,” says Tamm, who will again be assisted by diving guru Kayla Kalinowski (12th season) and Avery Tamm (2nd season). “Our divers are going to be tough again also.”

The coach says that it is too early in the season to spell out all the team’s goals, but that her athletes have set individual ones and they will be incorporated into a team concept as the practices continue.

“I hope to have a better team record than we had last year,” says Tamm, who tabs Monticello as the toughest M8 Conference foe. “I see the talent we have and think it is absolutely possible.”

Tamm says that a number of the girls have set the State Meet as a personal goal and if they earn that spot, it will be perhaps more meaningful than ever since there wasn’t a statewide competition a year ago due to COVID-19. She also points out that spectators are being allowed this year at the meets so the team is looking forward to having some cheering coming from the stands.

When it comes to events that the Bulldogs look toughest in, the coach quickly singles out her divers.

“Our divers are going to be very good again this year, as they usually get us a good amount of points in the meets,” Tamm says.  “We have four to five swimmers who can be moved around to different events depending on who the competition is and will do very well. We have some depth now and that helps.”

Four Bulldogs have been named as captains for this year’s team in Meghan Swanson, Arleigh Pudlick, Delaney Varney and Sarah Woelfel. They will be counted on for their leadership and to set an example in practices and meets.

Overall, Tamm has been impressed by the work ethic of the entire squad and the competitive attitude the girls have shown in early season practices. In fact, the coach sees many familiar faces in the pool but she notices a different level of dedication.

“They are ready to do this – I think after last year and all of the changes we had to make, they came in this season with a different attitude,” Tamm says. “I think they are just happy that things seem to be ‘normal.’”

Returning letter winners of the 2021 Bulldog swimming and diving team: Seniors- Nev Baune, Kadence Cox, Nadine Super, Sarah Woelfel; Juniors- Avary Maunu, Arleigh Pudlick, Tia Schaap, Sophie Studer, Meghan Swanson, Delaney Varney; Sophomores-Lucy Pink, Lauren Woelfel, Grace Wynia; Freshmen- Joey Cox, Grace Gifford, Bella Kuschel; 8th grade- Laila Cook, Karli Kirk.