By Ella Althaver, Social Media Coordinator
Amelia Edens diving in for 100 back – Photo By Ella Althaver
For the first time in history Aquinas Swim and Dive sent ten athletes to NAIA Nationals, including six swimmers and four divers. The Saints closed their historical season by setting seven new school records at the NAIA meet, Addie Osborn in the 50 free, Amelia Edens in the 100 back, Luke Martin in the 200 IM and 100 breast and Titus Smith in the 100 fly, 100 back and 200 back. Additionally all four divers competing at nationals were awarded with All-Americans titles. Osborn, Edens and Emersyn Joslin were awarded three individual second team All-Americans. After the long seven month season the national team takes the time to reflect on all they and the team has accomplished this past season.
While the divers, Evan Bennet, Troy Borrero, Lucas Castillo and Emma Nibbelink, did not have any school records broken at the national meet, all four still earned All-American titles. Freshman diver Nibbelink competed on both the 1 meter and 3 meter boards. After watching and competing in the four day meet Nibbelink said, “a highlight of the meet was being able to watch the hard work that everyone put into the sport throughout the season pay off.” Aquinas’ dive team has grown from four divers last season to nine in the 2024-2025 season. All of the divers mentioned representing Aquinas with pride, after being closer due to the increased growth on the team.
Freshman Osborn competed at her first national meet in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle along with all five relays. “I didn’t expect it,” Osborn said when asked about what it means to her to represent her team at the national level. “It really made all of the hard work over the course of the season feel worth it. I just hope I represented Aquinas in a way that makes everyone proud.” In a dramatic turn of events, Osborn tied for 16th in the 50 freestyle during the preliminary swimming session. In swimming only the top 16 can move onto finals, no more no less. Because of this tie Osborn had the opportunity to compete in a swim off to claim that 16th spot, and won, sending her to compete in her first national finals event and becoming a second team All-American. “Making it back to finals in the 50 coming off of a swim off,” said Osborn, “felt like I worked twice as hard to get there.” Osborn later continued to say that the swim off gave her the confidence she needed to propel herself through the rest of the meet; going on to earn all five of her relays become second team All-Americans.
Those relays were another first for the Saints this year as no Aquinas relay has ever competed at the national meet before. In the NAIA in order to have relays compete at Nationals, a team must have four athletes qualify in individual events in order to create any relay to compete. Those relays consisted of Osborn, Joslin, Edens andFreshman Adriana Waller.
Edens also had a stellar meet, competing in the 100 back, in which she broke her own school record while also placing 14th, the 200 IM and the 200 back. “Having a larger group this year was so much fun and being able to swim relays too,” said Edens. “Competing and representing my team at the national level is really exciting and always a great experience, it’s really cool being able to see much we grow each year.” Being able to swim a personal best and break records at nationals just a few weeks after conference is an incredible feat for any swimmer, Edens showed that all of the hard work and dedication that she put in throughout the season paid off at the championship meet.
Sophomore Titus Smith also had an incredible week and broke school records in every event he swam. “My highlight was setting a new school record in the 100 fly and being able to support my teammates while they performed,” said Smith. “It’s amazing to be a part of the team as it grows and represent Aquinas at this level.”
Although every season certainly had its ups and downs, sending this many athletes to nationals to represent their Aquinas at the highest level was a great way to end the season.
The Saint 