"It's going to be a real interesting season, especially with 40 girls," said Williston coach Jody Bolinske. "The team breaks a little more toward the upper class."
As in the past, Williston will be teaming up with Dickinson and Trinity Christian to form a team.
Eight swimmers from Dickinson are on this season's roster, including seniors Alexis Klug, Madison Porter and Tyler Reed.
"That makes up a good portion of our team," Bolinske said of the swimmers from Dickinson. In addition to the three seniors from Dickinson, Williston has its own set of seniors in Kaitlin Bolinske, Ashly Hellen and Sadie Miller. The six swimmers should serve as the foundation to this season's team.
Of the returning seniors, the Williston coach says as many as five could end up in the state finals.
"I expect them to be awesome," Bolinske said.
Miller and Klug will take part in the breaststroke. Porter will swim the butterfly for Williston, while Hellen will participate in the distance freestyle and Kaitlin Bolinske will swim the backstroke.
Williston is coming off a third-place finish in the WDA last season and a fourth-place showing at state. This season, Williston will go neck-and-neck with Bismarck-Century for second in the WDA.
Behind the efforts of Dagny Knutson, Minot is likely the team to beat, entering the season.
"They will come up with quality swimmers whether we know about them or not," Bolinske said.
But as the season approaches, the Williston coach sees the possibilities of a magical season.
"They have the potential," she said. "The coaches can guide them, but they have to do the work."
Williston will open the season Sept. 3 at home against Mandan.
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