stillwatergazette . com Stillwater Ponies Fall Sports Preview • Friday , September 6 , 2024 Page 9

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Fame in 2022 , which followed his induction into the Minnesota State Swimming and Diving Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2012 . Brian ’ s father , Elmer , preceded him while joining the MSH- SCA Hall of Fame in 1990 . Brian was also inducted into the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2019 .

Entering his 50th year in coaching puts Luke in some exclusive company . The Minnesota State High School Coaches Association lists only five swimming coaches who have received a 50-year Service Award , a list that includes Art Downey , Elmer Luke , Mel Ivonen , John Tegg and Rick Krueger .

“ Fifty years , that is tough to wrap my head around ,” Luke said . “ It has gone quickly . I guess that means I ’ m enjoying what I ’ m doing . I truly don ’ t feel any older than on my first day at Stillwater . Of course , I look older , but that happens . I hope I have had a positive impact on the program and the athletes .”

• Stillwater diving coach Carrie Madline , an SAHS graduate who was coached by Luke as a prep , enters her 41st season coaching with the Ponies . She received the Assistant Coach Dedicated Service Award from the Minnesota Swimming and Diving Coaches Association in 2018 .

A strong contributor to the program for as long as Brian has been coaching , his wife Jane Luke was presented the Jerry Simpson Distinguished Service Award in 2011 .

While reflecting on his half-century of coaching , Luke is quick to credit Jane for her dedication to the sport and program as well .

“ A shout out to my wife , Jane , for all the help and support she has been during my career ,” Luke said . “ I am able to do what I do because she has always been supportive and very helpful .”

Another long-time Stillwater assistant coach , Stewart Rivall , was recognized by the MSHSCA with the Assistant Coach Dedicated Service Award in 2023 . Rivall has volunteered his time with the Ponies for more than two decades .

• Two former Ponies standouts were inducted into the St . Croix Valley Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 2023 class . Diver Maggie ( Keefer ) Johnson and versatile swimmer Kaela ( Anderson ) Van Sistine were inducted , along with the

2005 girls swimming and diving state championship team .

Maggie was a two-time individual state diving champion for the Ponies before embarking on an All-American and hallof-fame career at the University of Minnesota . Kaela was a four-time all-state recipient who also earned All-American honors for the Ponies and won individual state championships in the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle .

• There are several former Ponies competing in various college programs , including : Sydney Dettmann ( Bucknell ), Anika Wright ( Northern Michigan ), Lucy Siedschlag ( St . Thomas ), Maddie Reed ( Cincinnati ) and Norah Naatjes ( Minnesota State-Mankato ).

2024 Roster

Seniors ( 18 ) — Annika Beck , Samantha Betts , Adelaide Bielke , Gabbi Chau , Emily Dicks , Zoe Dorgan , Hannah Drexel , Rhiannon Fay , Ava Fox , Jayden Kemp , Lily Kidwell , Alex Kruse , Olivia Nelson , Sofi a Omann , Jayla Petersen , Alison Poole , Maysen Puhrmann and Margaret Reed .

Juniors ( 10 ) — Reese Bilot , Lucy Dwinells , Kaelyn Grecian , Isabel Koch , Elaina Lokken , Sienna Nordman , Hailey Schmit , Vavara Simochkina , Shaeffer Watson and Hanna Wiese .

Sophomores ( 13 ) — Cyra Brazzell , Ada Burns , Avery Crickenberger , Marie Federova , MacKenzie Kroma , Julia Meyers , Lucy Paczosa , Julia Petersen , Mariela Rodriguez , Natalie Schmitt , Audrey Serres , Lucy Sorensen and Hailey Sykora .

Freshmen ( 10 ) — Audrey Banna , Grace Begnad , Averie Charpentier , Sienna Cruz , Sadie Grecian , Lauren Kissinger , Lillian Ownbey , Neva Sanders , Stella Schuetz , Mariia Simochkina .

Eighth-graders ( 9 ) — Claire Christianson , Morgaine Fitzgerald , Lainey Hellyer , Ruby Paczosa , Gabbi Pearson , Riley Schmitt , Isla Siverson , Becca Vazac and Madysen Verbout .

Seventh-graders ( 10 ) — Taydem Bolicek , Deana Chapagain , Natalie Flynn , Kayla Glenna , Elise Johnson , Olena Johnson , Maddy Kissinger , Maddie Mathiason , Leah Maynard and Selena Peatross .

Saturday , Nov . 2 ........ JV SEC Meet at SMS noon Thursday , Nov . 7 .. Section prelims at SMS 5:30 p . m . Friday , Nov . 8 .......... Section diving at SMS 6:10 p . m . Saturday , Nov . 9 ....... Section fi nals at SMS 1:30 p . m . Thursday , Nov . 14 ... State diving at U of M 6 p . m . Friday , Nov . 15 ...... State prelims at U of M 6 p . m . Saturday , Nov . 16 ..... State fi nals at U of M 6 p . m .

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