Northfield swim & dive picks up another victory

On Thursday, Oct. 3, the Northfield High School Raider/Gator Girls swim & dive team beat the Mankato West Scarlets with a 93-85 win on the varsity side and a 135-39 win in the junior varsity competition, which was held at the Northfield Middle School Aquatic Center.

When the Gators walked out onto the pool deck that evening, they noticed that it had undergone a transformation — it was decked out with balloons, streamers, and a huge 2025 sign. Printed out pictures and handmade posters lined the walls, bearing the names of Northfield’s senior Gator swimmers. All of this decoration was for Senior Night, an annual Gator tradition that honors and celebrates the team’s seniors at the last home meet of the season.

The Gators kicked off the meet with a win in the 200 medley relay by the team of Greta Kortuem, Edy McLaughlin, Nora Kortuem, and Maria Hegland. Northfield’s team of Elle Otting, Greta Peterson, Lydia Hershberger, and Ella Welp won the junior varsity heat.

The following event was the varsity 200 freestyle, where Nora Kortuem took first place with a season-best time of 2:01.19. Victorious in the varsity 200 IM was Greta Kortuem, and Violet Connole won the junior varsity heat with another season-best time. Seventh graders Catherine McCormick and Nora Flannery swam this event for the first time.

Next up was the varsity 50 freestyle, where Northfield’s Hegland, McLaughlin, and Ella Krupicka took first, second, and third place, respectively, for the Gators. In the junior varsity heat, Mia Sahlin had a lifetime best of 36.72.

The boards came down as the meet transitioned into its diving segment, where 8th graders Holly Gray and Bella Watne competed in the varsity competition. Junior varsity divers Annika Korynta and Alanna Flynn both had season-best scores.

After diving, swimming resumed with the varsity 100 butterfly, where sisters Nora and Greta Kortuem took first and second place, respectively. Hershberger won the junior varsity heat with a season-best time of 1:23.42. Next, Northfield took first, second, and third place in the varsity 100 freestyle. Holden won the event, followed by McLaughlin and Addie Lloyd, both with season-best times. Connole took first place in the junior varsity heat with a season-best time, and lifetime-bests were swum by Whitney Bauer and Keyshia Ramirez.

The next event was the 500 freestyle, where Kasie Larsen took first place with a 5:50.66. Another Gator who competed in this event was junior captain Ella Porter, who has been forced to stay out of the water while she recovers from a knee injury that she suffered just before the season began. Porter, who swam the 500 often before her injury, was thrilled to be back in the water and competing in one of her favorite events.

“It was so surreal to be back and to swim as fast as I did,” Porter said. “I tried to go into it with zero expectations and soak in the moment, and ended up going faster than I ever thought.”

Porter is an integral part of her team, working hard to help out on deck at every practice and every meet, and the whole team was excited to see her back in the water, cheering her all the way through the long race.

“I was able to do something that not a single doctor told me I would be able to do this season, and to do it while being surrounded by the girls made it such a special moment that I’ll remember forever,” Porter said.

After the 500 freestyle, it was time for the varsity 200 freestyle relay, where Northfield’s team of Nora Kortuem, Hegland, Larsen, and McLaughlin took first place.

Next up was the varsity 100 backstroke, where Ella Holleran touched second for the Gators. Lucy Graham won the junior varsity heat with a season-best time of 1:15.63. In the final individual event, the varsity 100 breaststroke, Mae Bowers touched first for Northfield, and victorious in the junior varsity heat was Catherine McCormick.

Finally, it was time for the last event, the 400 freestyle relay. Northfield’s team of Hegland, Larsen, Holden, and Greta Kortuem touched the wall first in the varsity heat, ending the meet on a good note for the Gators.

After the Scarlets left the pool, the Gators wrapped up a successful Senior Night by recognizing Nora Kortuem, Maria Hegland, Ella Krupicka, Edy McLaughlin, Lucy Graham, Natalia de las Heras Lopez, and Keandra Trotman, for all that they have contributed to the team.

The Gators will return to action on Thursday, Oct. 10, for their dual meet at Faribault.