WAUKESHA — Although no Cheese Knights made the podium at the Division 1 swim and dive state meet Saturday, Monroe-New Glarus had reason to celebrate. All six state-qualifying events improved upon their times from the sectional meet a week ago, which means more team records were broken.

“Being moved up to Division 1, it’s pretty amazing that we were able to make it — to take three relays and a couple individual events,” senior Riley Hoesly said. “I’m really proud of our team and how hard we worked this season. I’m glad we got to end it this way.”

Megan Chapman improved her 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle records from sectionals. She took off 0.09 seconds in the first event and over three seconds in the third. The 200-yard freestyle relay, which Chapman was a part of, also took off around two seconds. The final broken record was in the 200-yard medley relay.

“We are proud of the girls that they dropped so much time from sectionals,” co-head coach Haley Neuenschwander said. 

In addition to setting four more team records, co-head coaches Neuenschwander and Rachel Root were proud of the girls for qualifying for state. The Monroe-New Glarus co-op got moved up to Division 1 for the first time this season, upping the expectations.

“It’s such an accomplishment to make it to Division 1 state,” Root said. “The time standards are so different from Division 1 to Division 2.”

The WIAA splits the 138 girls swim and dive teams into two divisions based on enrollment. The top 60% of schools (83) are placed in Division 1, while the other 40% (55) are placed in Division 2. 

Monroe’s enrollment totals 742, while New Glarus is up to 323. Together, the co-op’s enrollment equals 1,065. Since last year, Monroe’s enrollment has grown two students, while New Glarus has remained the same. The small growth was just enough to push the Cheese Knights into Division 1 for the 2023 postseason.

Although MNG qualifies for Division 1, it is one of the smallest teams in the division. Middleton, which won the Division 1 swim and dive title, has an enrollment of 2,357 students. Runner-up Verona has an enrollment of 1,801, while Arrowhead (third) boasts 2,076 students. 

In comparison, the top schools in Division 2 are much closer to MNG in terms of enrollment. Edgerton-Evansville, another co-op, combines for 1,044 students. Ladysmith-Bloomer-Bruce-Flambeau-Lake Holcombe and Chilton-Brillion-Valders bring in 1,041 total students each. South Milwaukee alone boasts an enrollment of 1,002. 

Had MNG been in Division 2, all six of its events would have made the podium.

Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, the WIAA will also take tournament performance into factor when determining postseason placement. MNG coaches hope that, combined with the youth of its current team and new rules in place, their team will continue to have success. Of the six Cheese Knights that competed at state, four of them are underclassmen.

“It will be really great that we only lose two seniors (Hoesly and Danika Doll) and keep our great team,” Neuenschwander said. “Hopefully we can continue to have great trends and get back to Division 2 next year.”