Following alumni Jackson Kogler’s two individual titles from the 2025 state meet, the new team is looking to achieve its own goals. The team introduced the leadership of the new senior team captains, Zach Cody, Sam Loken and Jack Howell. The team aims to regain some lost talent through the significant influx of new middle schoolers for the 2025-26 season.
Team members have noticed a significant increase in participation among underclassmen. The younger athletes are key to the team because of the amount of time they have to grow and develop their skills. Consequently, the team has a deeper foundation that will hold for multiple years. Additionally, the new surge of younger athletes creates more competition between the team at practice.
“There’s a lot of middle schoolers this year, which is a very good thing for the team’s future, as we were dwindling in numbers last year,” junior Lincoln Wanderer said.
For example, seventh grader Evan Mathiason is a new addition to the team this year. He swims for the St. Croix Club and has been posting promising times in practices and their most recent meets. Mathiason’s contributions to the team will be vital as he continues to grow throughout his next few years with the team.
“I work with my results to learn what I could do better in my race. I look at my splits to see if I need to bring it back faster or if I need to go out faster, because there are many factors in getting a better time,” Mathiason explained.
The athletes have been motivated for the new season at practices. Captains are interacting with the other team members to make sure that they have a goal that they can work toward during the season. Making sure goals are set makes it easy for the athletes to monitor their progress, and it keeps them working persistently.
Cody said their goal for this season is to “have lots of fun, challenge ourselves, and get new best times.”
As a result, this season is off to a strong start. On Dec 11, the Ponies logged a win in a meet against Roseville Area High School. The team wants to continue to build its winning streak. The streak boosts the morale of the team and makes them determined to work hard at practice in order to perform even better at meets.
“Making sure that everyone shows up every single day. Everyone’s committed to going no matter the weather, no matter how freezing cold the water is, we’re all committed,” Cody said.
With their recent win, the Ponies hope to continue carrying their momentum at their meet on Jan 3 at the University of Minnesota. This outcome is greatly satisfying to the team and is only making them work harder. The future meets will only improve the team’s skills, and the underclassmen will be more determined to prove themselves as they move toward sections and state championships.
