Bismarck Demons

2007: Sixth at West Region, 113 points; 12th at state, 77 points.

Coach: Kristen Maitland-Peters, second year.

Top returnees: Bridget Riley, jr. Chelsea Schmaltz, jr.

Notes: Bismarck has been carried by its divers in recent years, but not this season. Last year's state champ, Megan Keidel, was lost to graduation, as were Jessa Rosborough (11th) and Sara Joersz (14th). Another promising diver, McKenzie Keidel, has chosen to pursue gymnastics. Bismarck's only diver will be Kaitlyn Maitland, who will also swim. … Bridget Riley is Bismarck's only returnee who scored points at last year's state meet. Last year she was seventh in the 200 individual medley and 10th in the 100 freestyle.

Century Patriots

2007: Fourth at West Region, 162 points; seventh at state, 184 points.

Coach: Loic Joseph, fourth year.

Top returnees: Sara Weinberg, sr. Kalee Kemmesat, jr. Cassie Walth, fr. Emily Smallbeck, fr. Brittany Whalen, jr.

Notes: The Patriots return the swimmers who accounted for nearly all their points at last year's state meet, led by Sara Weinberg and Kalee Kemmesat. … Weinberg was second in the 50 and 100 frees, while Kemmesat was third in the 200 and 500 frees. … Walth made a splash as an eighth-grader, taking sixth in the 100 free and eighth in the 50 free. … Together the trio helped Century take second in both the 200 and 400 free relays. … Smallbeck took ninth in the 100 butterfly. … CHS also has two transfers who placed last year for other schools. Lydia Engberg was 11th in the 100 backstroke and 14th in the 50 free as a freshman at Bismarck. … McKenzie Jeske was eighth in the 500 free and 14th in the 200 IM as a seventh-grader swimming for Grand Forks Red River.

Jamestown Blue Jays

2007: Fifth at West Region, 126 points; 11th at state, 91 points.

Coach: Marney Shirley, 35th year.

Top returnees: Kaitlin Walsh, jr. Brooke Lukach, so. Abby Wanzek, 8th. Erin Hart, so. Miah Dabill, 8th.

Notes: Kaitlin Walsh and Brooke Lukach placed seventh and eighth in diving at last year's state meet. Abby Wanzek was 15th. … The Blue Jays picked up points in just one individual swimming event, with Miah Dabill and Erin Hart taking sixth and eighth, respectively, in the 100 backstroke.

Mandan Braves

2007: Third at West Region, 195 points; 13th at state, 74 points.

Coach: Ralph Manley, 16th year.

Top returnees: Emily Helmers, sr. Tanya Hepper, sr. Alexis Hogan, jr. Vanessa Stumpf, jr. Kayli Johnson, so. Linsey Barth-Magilke, so. Morgan Quintus, so. Emily Labrato, so. Kiersten Sauber, fr. Terra Dietz, jr.

Notes: The Braves lost just one senior to graduation. … After a solid season in 2007, the Braves went out on a down note, finishing last at state, in part due to a relay disqualification. The Braves finished with their lowest point total since 1981. … Alexis Hogan is Mandan's top returning placer, having taken sixth in the 50 free. … Vanessa Stumpf was eighth in the 100 and 200 frees. … Kayli Johnson was 11th in the 200 IM and 16th in the 100 breaststroke. … Emily Helmers was 12th in the 100 butterfly. … Tanya Hepper placed 16th in diving.

Minot Magicians

2007: First at West Region, 377 points; state champions, 330 points.

Coach: Dan Hinton, fourth year

Top returnees: Dagny Knutson, jr. Maggi Beck, sr. Katie Clark, fr. McKenzie Rudolph.

Notes: The Majettes have won five straight titles. … The Majettes are led by Dagny Knutson, fresh off her performance in the Olympic Trials. Knutson again won the maximum four state titles last year, setting new state records in the 200 IM and 100 free, plus swimming on the victorious 200 medley and 400 free relays. … She now has 11 state titles, six individual and five in relays. … Maggi Beck swam on the same relays as Knutson last season, She also won the 100 back and took fourth in the 200 free. … Katie Clark took a pair of sevenths as an eighth-grader, in the fly and back. … McKenzie Rudolph placed third in diving.

Williston Coyotes

2007: Second at West Region, 253 points; fifth at state, 192 points.

Coach: Amy Huggins, second year.

Top returnees: Kaitlin Bolinske, jr. Sadie Miller, jr. Madison Porter, jr. Kelsey Stenson, 8th.

Notes: The Coyotes have a strong core back from the team that was runner-up to Minot in the West. … Kaitlin Bolinske is the top returning point-getter, having taken fourth in the 100 back and seventh in 100 free. … Sadie Miller took fourth in the 100 breast and ninth in the 200 IM. … Kelsey Stenson was ninth in the 50 free and 14th in the 100. … Madison Porter took fifth in the 100 fly.

- Compiled by Lou Babiarz