Samantha “Sammy” Rose Kriese
* Leader * Mentor * Friend *
Samantha "Sammy" Rose Kriese was an honor student and outstanding athlete at Red Wing High School. She graduated with highest distinction on June 4, 2021. She was to start her freshman year at the University of Minnesota in the fall. Instead, she lost her life in a motor vehicle accident.
In school, Kriese was a 6-year member of the Red Wing Girls Swim & Dive Team, the Nordic ski team, a co-president of Sustainability Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, was manager of the Boy’s Swim & Dive Team, and participated in Ultimate Frisbee.
Sammy started swimming as soon as she physically could, aspiring to be like her older siblings. She started swimming competitively at age 6 through the Red Wing Swim Club and quickly became an incredible breaststroker and a well-known face at the pool. Later she joined the Red Wing High School Team and was known to be everyone’s best friend and a role model to many. You could often find her at the pool or in the pool office cracking jokes with whoever she could find. She was a promising athlete through her career, always performing well for her team as both a competitor and leader. Her swimming career culminated as a Senior CoCaptain, Big Nine Conference and Section 1A Champion, earning multiple trips to the Minnesota High School State Championships, and as part of record setting 200 Freestyle and 200 Medley Relays.
Sammy Kriese was a wonderful young lady, friend, teammate, classmate, and leader. She was known for her genuine heart, constant spunk and for putting others first. She wasn’t someone who cared about the results rather deeply cherished the endless memories made along the way. Sammy was an insanely strong swimmer and preserved through countless adversity to be the best possible teammate and swimmer she could. You could often hear her say things like “No pain, no gain” or “Last one fast one.”. In every activity she participated, she always worked to include everyone and create the best experience possible. Sammy was always the loudest cheerleader on the deck and first one to check on someone after a bad race. Her love of her teammates and swimming was obvious. She had an infectious smile and a joyous presence even when working hard in practice. She had a positive impact on younger swimmers, making them feel welcomed and supported when they joined the team. The world is a lesser place for those who will not have their lives touched by her. We hold her in our hearts and honor her by loving all the small moments within life and being a positive force. We cherish the memories she made with us and miss the ones that we should have made.
In honor of Sammy, the Red Wing Swim Club annually present an award to the swimmer who best demonstrates those qualities that are emblematic of her:
* Leader * Mentor * Friend *
The following swimmers have received the Samantha Rose Kriese Award
2022 Kennedy Carlson
2023 Emma Hoppman
2024 Kiera Lovett
