It’s a welcomed sight for Minot High School girls swimming and diving head coach Emily Jensen. While the Majettes have trimmed down in size, having the opportunity to compete is what matters the most.

“We are a smaller team than we have been in the past and a little bit smaller than some of the other teams around the state,” Jensen said. “But to have the numbers we do have when seeing other teams struggle is nice. For us, having a smaller number makes it easier with all the regulations to practice and go to meets.”

As a positive side effect, quicker team bonding and more tailored practice sessions can happen with fewer kids in the pool.

“Hopefully, our cohesiveness as we grow gets a little stronger with having a smaller number,” Jensen said. “We get to connect with those kids and help the kids a little better with more one-on-one instruction.”

Alex Eisen/MDN Majettes freshman diver Ella Kesler goes vertical off the diving board during practice Monday evening at the Magic City Campus.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic safety guidelines in place, fewer teams will be competing in each meet. In addition, West Region teams won’t compete against East Region teams until the state meet.

That unknown brings some uncertainty, but the Majettes would rather not look that far ahead. They are grateful to be in the present, enjoying the serenity of being back in the water.

“Being able to swim and dive brings so much light into all of our lives,” junior diver Bella Price said. “When we don’t have anything to do, it’s hard to keep our minds going. So it’s great to be with all the girls, learning new dives and stuff like that.”

Price brings upperclassman leadership to the diving board. The diving group, coached by Barb McPeak, is expected to score high for the Majettes this season.

“Oh my gosh, it’s so exciting,” Price said. “I think I’ve been able to improve by being with all our younger divers. It’s given me a new perspective of being a role model and set a good example. I have that in the back of my mind and helps keep me going.”

Minot qualified four divers for state last season. Now-freshman Ella Kesler and Price led the way with sixth and seventh-place finishes, respectively. Both will look to crack the top five this season.

Eighth-grader Haley Conklin and freshman Violet Noel also return. Noel placed 14th at state, while Conklin just missed the cut to make the 16-diver final and placed 17th.

“Diving will definitely be one of our strengths,” Jensen said. “We did lose some senior (swimmers) who scored some big points for us, but we have some younger middle school kids coming in. Hopefully, they will step up and learn the ropes. Possibly it won’t be this year. But, in the coming years, they will be a strength for us.”

There is reasonable hope that some of the incoming middle schoolers could provide an immediate impact because a few of them have already shown the capability to swim state-qualifying times.

As for the more experienced swimmers, junior Jordn Wolsky looks to improve her 2019 individual state finishes in the 100-yard backstroke (eighth) and the 100 butterfly (11th). She also competed in the 400 relay and 200 medley relay.

The other returning member from the 200 state medley relay team is sophomore Elise Altringer. She also swam the opening leg of the Majettes’ 200 freestyle relay team, which took fourth at state.

Individually at state, Altringer was the third-fastest freshman in the 200 freestyle (14th overall) and placed 13th in the 100 breaststroke.

“It was rough in the beginning because you couldn’t get in the pool,” Altringer said about the COVID-19 restricted offseason. “It was really nice to have the Roosevelt (Park swimming pool) open to practice. But, I’d say I’m in better shape than I was last year starting out. Last year, I took a little break between swim club and high school. But, this year, I swam all the way through.”

The Majettes have a little over a week to build up preseason form before hosting Jamestown on Sept. 3 for their first meet of the season.

The WDA regional meet is scheduled for Nov. 7 in Williston, and the state meet is set for Nov. 13-14 at the Hulbert Aquatics Center in West Fargo.

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.