WDA Swim-Dive Championships will feature plenty of close battles

BISMARCK – The postseason has arrived for Western Dakota Association girls' swimming and diving programs, with the 2026 WDA Championships taking center stage this weekend, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, at the Minot North High School Pool. Preliminary diving rounds kick off the action Friday afternoon, leading into Saturday’s swimming and diving finals.

Defending champion Bismarck Century enters as the team to beat, but the margin atop the conference is as tight as it has been in years. Between intra-city rivals, a record-setting diving contingent, and perennial powerhouses peaking at the right time, here is an in-depth look at what to watch for in the Magic City.

The Title Race: Century’s Balance vs. Legacy’s Firepower

The team championship race figures to be a battle between crosstown rivals Bismarck Century and Bismarck Legacy, with Minot High and Mandan positioned to play major spoiler roles.

Bismarck Century: The Patriots bring the deepest roster in the conference, qualifying 14 individual athletes across 48 state event entries. Century’s strength is its versatility and relay power. Junior Molly Osadchy is a threat in every race she enters, holding the WDA's top time in the 100 butterfly (59.65) and 200 freestyle (1:59.43), while sitting second in the 50 free (25.62) and 100 free (55.32). Alongside Joelle Knudson (qualified in eight individual events, including the conference's No. 2 200 IM time at 2:14.68), sprinter Aubrey Caster, breaststroker Brooklyn Richards (1:09.12), and underclassmen like Ivy Aisenbrey and Madisyn Lowe, Century has the firepower to pack A and B finals in almost every event. Century also holds the conference's top qualifying times in both the 200 medley relay (1:54.24) and 400 freestyle relay (3:46.01).

Bismarck Legacy: The Sabers match Century with 48 total individual state qualifying entries across 12 athletes. Legacy's top-end talent is formidable. Junior Lilyana Hochhalter leads the WDA in the 500 freestyle (5:26.76) and ranks top-three in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, and 100 backstroke. Brinley Steele paces the conference in the 100 backstroke (1:01.62) and sits right behind Osadchy in the 100 fly (1:00.53). With Norah Sears qualifying in eight individual events—including top-four marks in the 200 IM, 100 fly, and 100 breaststroke—and Grace Upgren providing sprint depth, Legacy holds the WDA's fastest 200 freestyle relay (1:43.53) and will challenge Century in every championship heat.

Key Swimmers to Watch

Madeline VerDouw, Bismarck High: The senior leader of the Demons is the premier breaststroker in the state, leading Class A with a 1:04.75 in the 100 breaststroke. She also paces the WDA in the 100 freestyle (55.15) and 200 IM (2:12.64), while sitting top-three in the 50 free, 200 free, 500 free, and 100 backstroke. Expect VerDouw to be a multi-event champion favorite on Saturday.

Emily Dunstan, Minot High: The Majettes' senior sprinter is the fastest 50 freestyler in the West, pacing the WDA with a 25.52 seed time. Dunstan is also top-four in the 100 free (57.20) and 200 free (2:03.58).

Molly Osadchy, Bismarck Century: The junior is the only WDA swimmer to break the one-minute barrier in the 100 fly this season (59.65) and will be a focal point in Century's push for repeat gold.

Lilyana Hochhalter, Bismarck Legacy: The distance anchor for the Sabers, Hochhalter's 5:26.76 in the 500 free gives her a six-second cushion over the rest of the conference, while her sub-2:00 clocking in the 200 free (1:59.84) makes her a heavy favorite in the mid-distance events.

Ava Francis & Emma Masseth, Mandan: Francis (25.88 in the 50 free; 57.16 in the 100 free) and Masseth (eight-event qualifier; 1:05.06 in the 100 back) spearhead a Braves lineup that qualified all three relays in the top three of the conference.

Norah Pierce, Williston: The sophomore carries the banner for the Coyotes, qualifying in seven individual events, including top-10 WDA marks in the 500 free (6:00.12), 200 IM (2:25.03), and 100 breaststroke (1:17.09).

Makenna Tippett & Addison Wax, Dickinson: Tippett holds top-five WDA marks in the 50 free (26.01) and 200 free (2:05.86), while Wax has qualified in seven individual events to lead the Midgets.

The Diving Board: Bergan's Chase and a Loaded Field

The 1-meter diving competition in the WDA is arguably the most competitive in the entire state this season, headlined by reigning state title contender Gracyn Bergan of Minot High.

Bergan has set the standard all autumn, posting conference-best scores of 289.50 in 6 dives and 470.50 in 11 dives. Her 11-dive total leads the entire state by more than 75 points.

However, the podium race behind Bergan will be fiercely contested:

Kylie Brew (Mandan): Has put together a stellar senior campaign, holding the second-highest 11-dive score in the West at 393.20.

Zoey Reis (Legacy): The freshman standout has made an immediate splash, sitting third in the WDA in 11 dives (382.65) and second in 6 dives (239.90).

Molly Zeltinger & Haley Dockter (Century): Both Patriots have cleared 325-plus points in 11 dives, giving Century critical team points on Friday and Saturday.

Lenora Arnold (Williston), Samantha Paintner (Dickinson), and Sophia Stevens (Minot North): All three have eclipsed the 300-point plateau in 11-dive invitationals this fall and have the degree of difficulty to push for top-five podium finishes.

Team-by-Team Capsules

Bismarck Century: Defending champions return 14 individual qualifiers and all three top-seeded relays. With Osadchy, Knudson, Richards, and Caster leading the charge, their scoring depth through consolation finals makes them the favorite.

Bismarck Legacy: Features 12 qualifiers led by Hochhalter, Steele, Sears, and diver Zoey Reis. If the Sabres win the close championship heats and take the sprint relays, they have the top-end points to claim the title.

Minot High: Led by Bergan on the board and Dunstan, Kacee Makeeff, and Kirby Quam in the lanes, Minot High should be in the mix for a top three finish.

Mandan: Eight qualifiers and three top-three relays. Led by Brew on the board and Francis, Masseth, and Catherine Lindsey in the water, the Braves will be battling Minot High for third overall.

Bismarck High: Six qualifiers, but massive individual point potential. VerDouw is capable of winning any two individual events she enters, supported by Aria Eberle, Danielle Wescott, and Kennedy Ness.

Dickinson: Eight qualifiers, headlined by Tippett, Wax, Molly Ellerkamp, and diver Samantha Paintner.

Williston: Three qualifiers, anchored by seven-event threat Norah Pierce, Audrey Tofte, and diver Lenora Arnold.

Minot North: Hosting the championships for the first time in program history at their home pool. Four individual qualifiers, led by diver Sophia Stevens and sprinters Ellia Gemar and Chloe Kraft.

Jamestown: Three qualifiers, led by versatile eighth-grader Sawyer Moser (top-10 WDA in the 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, 200 IM) and breaststroker Adelina Domkova.

Dickinson swimmer (Photo/Loralyn Joyce)