SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Starting from scratch more than four years ago, Augustana swimming is set for a monumental Saturday at the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls. For the first time in program history, Augustana will honor a senior class, sending off six seniors who helped build the program from the bottom. 

The Vikings, who square up with Southwest Minnesota State in a 3 p.m. dual, will be honoring six seniors on Saturday: Paige Knight, Linzie Kreizel, Emma Miller, Maggie Oberg, Destini Oehlertz, Abby Rubado.

"These young ladies committed to being the beginning of something special at Augustana," Augustana head coach Lindsie Micko said. "Though not an easy path as a new program, they competed at a high level, were excellent in the classroom and have given back to the community. I'm extremely proud of them."

The Vikings
2019-20 is proving to be another impressive year for the Viking swim team. Augustana started the year with a pair of dual wins over Northern State and UMary, as well as taking home first place at the Morningside Invite. 

In their last competition, the Vikings broke eight school records at the Augustana invite. Taking fourth in the team standings, the Vikings had a number of impressive individual performances, including Destini Oehlertz, who broke the 50 freestyle school record (23.07) and earned first place. Freshman Cailey Scott also earned a spot in the record books with a time of 2:04.86 in the 200-yard backstroke, and Micah Hudlet swam a new school record time of 1:05.06, placing seventh in the 100-yard breaststroke.

The Opponent 
The Mustangs come into the dual with a 3-2 overall record, including dual wins over Northern State and Iowa Lakes Community College. Most recently, SMSU competed in the Rochester Invite, taking home 10th place with 247 points. One of the Mustangs top finishers was Annika Freiburger, who placed fifth in the 400-yard individual medley (4:42.65) and 10th in the 1,650-yard (18:20.20).  

Quotable
Over the holidays, the Vikings had the opportunity to train in Coronado, California. Micko is confident the extra training will pay dividends for the program.

"As we near our conference championships and NCAA championships, we hope the extra work on the West Coast will help us to achieve our individual and team goals."

Swimmer To Watch
One of the six swimmers competing in her final regular-season home event, Emma Miller will look to close down the Elmen center with a bang. Last time out, the Papillion, Nebraska, native broke the school record with a third-place finish in the 500-yard free with a time of 4:59.52. Miller will also likely compete on the freestyle relay teams on Saturday.