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Women's swimmer, diver head to nationals
They qualify for nationals for the second year running and will compete during spring break
By Jason Douglas/Contributing Writer
 Media Credit: Christine Johnson/Editor SCSU diver Beth Mattson, above, and swimmer Tesia Zuba, below, qualified for the NCAA Division II Championship competition, which will take place over spring break in Florida. Mattson is scheduled to compete Tuesday and Zuba will compete Wednesday.
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 Media Credit: Christine Johnson/Editor SCSU swimmer Tesia Zuba and diver Beth Mattson will spend spring break competing at the national competition in Florida.
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One of first-year swimming and diving coach Jeff Hegle's goals for the season was "to establish stability and respect back to the program."
They have a good start to that. Two SCSU swimming and diving team members qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships.
Junior Tesia Zuba qualified in the 100 and 200 meter breaststroke, as well as the 200 and 400 meter individual medley. Senior Beth Mattson qualified in the one and three meter diving events.
Both athletes qualified last year for nationals, and due to a strong commitment to the team, are returning with confidence and experience.
"Tesia has such a great attitude. She loves swimming, and has a lot of fun with it," Hegle said. "She is also an athlete with tons of talent that leads by example. She does what needs to be done.
"Beth is just a hard worker. She has experience, and has been a great leader for the younger divers on our team."
Zuba, a junior co-captain, is hoping to improve on her finishes last year.
"Last year, I got worn out, because you have a morning session and a night session for four days," she said. "It feels like eight days of competition. With the experiences from last year, I hope to improve on my endurance.
"I also saw the intensity that's involved with every move there. Emotions will be high, and I look forward to that."
Hegle feels that Zuba should do very well in each event she's qualified for at nationals. Zuba has the same expectations for herself, but wants to do more.
"I feel I can place in the top eight in all my events," she said. "I am confident I can place in the top three in the 100 and 200 breast. I also want to show people that St. Cloud State is an up-and-coming force in swimming."
Mattson was unavailable for comment.
Zuba, along with three other returning seniors will help SCSU swimming and diving continue their drive to establishing respect back to the program.
The NCAA Division II Championships will take place on March 13-17 in Orlando, Fla.
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