The swimming and diving team competed in the Patriot League Championships hosted by Navy from Wednesday to Saturday, breaking 11 school records over the four days. The men’s team placed eighth and the women’s 10th out of 10 teams.
Freshman Trevor Olsen swam a 200-yard freestyle (1:36.61), placing fifth overall and setting a new school record. This comes after he broke his ankle last fall during an open water swim, taking him out of the water for almost four months.
“I was so glad to represent the team this year despite a rocky start to my season,” he said, “I really tried to focus on my 500 free this meet because I couldn’t get the top-end speed after my injury.”
Olsen also placed ninth in the 500-yard freestyle (4:21.39), breaking another school record by almost 10 seconds. Classmate Justin Tucker took home a 16th-place finish in the same event (4:32.67).
Junior Alexander Reihl also recorded a school record in the 100-yard freestyle, placing 19th overall (44.91).
The women’s team broke several school records, including a 500-yard freestyle record that stood for 27 years, broken by freshman Frankie DiGiovanni (5:03.77). Senior Isabella Van Ess also shattered the school record in the 200-yard individual medley, managing 18th (2:06.07).
Junior captain Natalie Johnson swam a 51.09 in the 100-yard freestyle, breaking another school record.
“I had such a wonderful time watching all of my teammates swim,” she said. “Personally, I’m really proud of what I could accomplish, and I’m really proud of our team and what they could accomplish.”
The relay team of Johnson, junior Diedre-McKenna Scudder, sophomore Sarah Fente-Damers and junior Sarah Newman captured a school record in the 400-yard freestyle (3:29.21).
Johnson also praised the graduating senior class, including Van Ess, who participated in three finals events.
“These losses will for sure be felt, but I’m optimistic about the future,” she said.
Not all Leopards are out of the pool for the season. Juniors Landon Orth and Mia Guster will compete in the NCAA Zone A Diving Championships, hosted by Navy from March 9 to 11.
Disclaimer: Assistant Sports Editor Brea White ’28 is a member of the swimming and diving team. She did not contribute writing or reporting.