By Mark Jones

Sports Editor

Swimming is one of the most grueling sports in terms of endurance and strength.

The Williston High School swim and dive team is off to a 3-1 record in dual meets this season. The Coyotes are coming off an extremely successful weekend with a win over Mandan on Friday and a first-place finish at the Mandan Invitational on Saturday.

Part of the Williston's success can be credited to seniors Sadie Miller and Kaitlin Bolinkse. The two make up half of Williston's A team in the 200-yard medley relay. At Saturday's event, Williston finished first in the event by nearly five seconds ahead of its closest competitor. "We have all different strengths," Bolinske said of the 200-medley relay team.

"It all comes together and works out well," Miller said.

But the two seniors know they don't have to carry the entire load this season.

"This year we have a lot more depth," Bolinske said. "Last year, we had five at state, and we can add a lot more this year. We have a lot of expectations (for the younger kids) and they are stepping up."

To the casual fan, it would seem swimming is just a matter of jumping into the pool and swimming. But there is a lot more to it than that.

"There is a lot of technique work and strength training," Bolinske said.

And then there is the mental side of the sport.

"It's all in the head," Miller said. "If you have the wrong attitude, you defeat yourself."

Both credit their secret to success to hard work and knowing what they need to do.

"Doing all the yards and making every practice count," Bolinske said.

"We both have done it for five years," Miller said. "We know what we need to do."

As the season moves forward, both seniors are confident that the team will continue to perform at a high level.

"We are right where we need to be," Miller said.

After graduation, both plan to attend the University of North Dakota. However, neither plan to swim at the next level because of how much time is involved.