MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The University of North Dakota divers captured four top 10 finishes and the swim team added one more as the Fighting Sioux women's swimming and diving team wrapped up competition at the Minnesota Challenge.

"The women really finished the season on a high note," said UND assistant coach Kevin Rapien. "The most exciting thing about their performances today was that they were able to finish as well, if not better, than they started.

"The entire staff is anxious to see what we'll be able to do at the conference meet."

Freshman Rachael Waldbillig (Circle Pines, Minn.) led the Sioux divers on the 3-meter with a mark of 257.35 for fifth-place and senior Stephenie Varichak (Fridley, Minn.) finished sixth with a score of 255.00.

On the 1-meter, Varichak was the one to lead the team as she placed seventh with a score of 237.25. Waldbillig finished ninth with a mark of 234.15. Freshman Alexis Thomsen (Chisago, Minn.) finished 15th on the 3-meter (203.40) and 18th on the 1-meter (195.10).

For the swimmers, it was freshman Morgan Lynch (Elk River, Minn.) who once again led the way placing third in the 1650 free with a time of 17:52.96. She also placed 19th in the 200 free with a time of 1:59.94.

Also cracking the top 20 for UND was junior Samantha Simon (Barrington, Ill.) in the 100 breast (11th, 1:09.55), junior Katelyn Johnson (Albany, Ore.) in the 200 back (11th, 2:13.42) and the 100 fly (17th, 1:02.04), and freshman Caitlin Jung (Hugo, Minn.) in both the 200 fly (16th, 2:23.34) and the 200 breast (19th, 2:35.10).

The 2011 Conference USA Championships will be held in Houston, Feb. 23-26.

- Go Sioux -