Swim and Dive impresses in record shattering season

By Grace Malec, Sports Editor

Aquinas Swim and Dive have set a tone of success – Photo by Aquinas Swim and Dive

The Saints are continuing to grow and flourish in an already record setting season, with the Men’s team taking first place in the KCAC and Women’s team taking second place.

Twelve athletes on the team were also named to the nationals team ahead of their upcoming post season; with Evan Bennett, Troy Borrero, Ian Clapp, Talon Kappmann, Luke Martin, Titus Smith, Cooper Wasson. Hannah Brown, Elena Cavadas, Amelia Edens, Emersyn Joslin and Addie Osborn representing the Saints.

“”I’m super excited and lucky to have made it for a third year, it definitely gets harder every year and I’m just really blessed to have the opportunity to be able to compete at this level with some of my teammates,” Edens said.

After day one of competition at the KCAC championship, the women finished the 800 free relay in fourth place and the men sat in fifth place.

After a slow start to the KCAC championship, the Saints came in hot on day two. The women took second place in the 200 free relay with the men taking fifth. In the 400 medley relay, the women took third place and the men took fourth. Hannah Brown also had an impressive performance, taking third in the 50 free.

Day three was no different for the Saints. Riding the high off the momentum built on day one and two, day three brought even more success. The women and men both took third place in the 200 medley relay, with the men breaking the school record with their time of 1:32.72. Amelia Edens paved the way for the Saints; taking third in both the 400 IM and 100 back. Lucas Eussen also took third for his performance in the 400 IM. Luke Martin also made waves for the Saints, finishing second in the 100 breaststroke.

The home stretch finally approached on day four for the team, and they brought the energy to finish strong. Eussen returned to take second place in the 200 fly. Emersyn Joslin and Titus Smith brought home third place in women’s and men’s 200 Back. Martin returned to take third place in the 200 Breast. And four Saints found themselves placing for the 1650 freestyle with Dailey Jogan taking eighth, Baylee Davis taking 12th, Riley Monahan taking 14th and Ella Althaver taking 15th.

To finish off day four, the women took fourth place in the 400 free with the men taking fifth.

“This has been the most impressive and rewarding season I’ve been part of,” Joslin said. “Our team culture is built on hard work and encouragement, and that’s translated directly into strong performances across the board. Watching my teammates hit personal bests has been just as exciting as my own swims. I’m proud of the work I’ve put in, but even more proud of what we’ve accomplished together as a team. We are just getting started.”

Joslin competes at the KCAC championship – Photo by Aquinas Swim and Dive

Women’s dive also made an impressive effort at the KCAC championship. For the women’s one meter dive, Saints dominated; Emma Nibbelink snagged second place, Taylor Moss took third, Kaitlyn Santaguida took fourth and Anna Benstead took sixth. The women’s diving team did not stop there. For the three meter dive, Nibbelink ran it back and took second place once again, Moss took third place, Benstead took fifth and Santaguida took sixth.

Men’s Dive came to fight as well. Evan Bennett took first place for both the one meter and three meter dive for the Saints. Troy Borrero took second in the one meter dive, with Major Vance, Cooper Wasson and Sawyer Shank shortly behind him in third, fifth and sixth place. For the three meter dive, the Saints swept similarly; with Wasson taking third, Borrero in fourth, Vance in fifth place and Shank in sixth place.

“When we made it a goal to win the conference at the beginning of the year, I thought it was pretty far-fetched,” Bennett said. “When we got to the meet, everybody did what they needed to do. Some people did better than we expected them to, and I just couldn’t be more excited for both teams. The divers all did really well, and the swimmers all amazed me with how they competed.”

Aquinas Men’s Dive dominates the podium – Photo by Aquinas Swim and Dive

After the KCAC championship left the team on the high note, members are preparing for nationals and looking to finish their season strong and find success in the post season.

“Making nationals was a dream come true for me this year,” Ian Clapp said. “I’ve been working towards it since freshman year and I put in the work and got a little luck this year as well.”