John Carroll Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving teams have been remarkable all season. With only a single loss this year, there was sure to be something special brewing at the University of Akron, the host site of the Ohio Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships running from Feb. 15-18. 

The Blue Streaks completed a historic run, taking home their seventh straight OAC Championship and breaking records older than the swimmers themselves along the way. 

Day 1

With only one event scheduled for day one, the Blue and Gold were able to get their feet wet, literally. The first event was the 800 Free relay. 

In the women’s race, Mary Hoffman ‘26, Ashley Lynch ‘23, Mairin Dalziel ‘26 and Gwyneth Hamilton ‘23 started strong with an OAC record of 7:46.20, breaking the previous conference mark by just over two seconds set by Ohio Northern in 2014.

On the men’s side, Liam McDonnell ‘32, Jake Farr ‘23, Joseph Nadur ‘26 and Aidan O’Neill ‘23 finished with a time of 6:43.11, earning them an NCAA B cut and a first-place finish. 

Day 2

Day two was just as sweet for the Blue Streaks, as it contained more first-place finishes and broken records. The first broken record of the day came courtesy of Nadur in the 200 IM. Nadur placed a new OAC record with a time of 1:49.84, which was good for an NCAA B cut. 

NCAA B cut times was the theme on the day as McDonnell, Michael Heller ‘23, Bryce Liddell ‘25 and Daniel Argalious ‘26 finished the 200 Free relay with a time of 1:20.65 which was also good for an NCAA B cut. 

The women’s team had some fun of their own on day two as well. The same squad of Hamilton, Dalziel, Hoffman and Lynch tapped in at first with an impressive time of 1:36.14 in the 200 Free relay, setting a new school record. 

Plenty of other Blue and Gold swimmers garnered first-place finishes on the day as well. In the 200 IM, Olivia Goodman ‘26 took first with a speedy time of 2:08.15. Hamilton took home first in the 50 Free with a lightning time of 24:00. 

Day 3 

Day three at the University of Akron was eerily similar to day two with first-place finishes and broken records all around. 

John Carroll wasted no time on day three, breaking records in their first event of the day. In the 200 Medley, McDonnell, Jonah Venos ‘23, Liddell and Argalious took home first place with an astounding time of 1:27.60, placing a new OAC record and earning the squad an NCAA B cut. 

Freshman phenom Nadur placed a new OAC record along with a program record in the 400 IM where he finished with a time of 3:59.18. Nadur’s time would also earn him an NCAA B cut. 

Venos placed a new school record in the 100 Breaststroke finishing with an astounding time of 54.33, more than two seconds ahead of second place which came in at 57.35. 

The day ended with one of the best performances one has ever seen inside Ocasek Natatorium. Senior star McDonnell placed first in the 100 Backstroke with an otherworldly time of 46.95. This time would place a new OAC record, program record, pool record and be good for an NCAA B cut. 

Day three went just as well for the women’s team. The 200 Medley was the first event of the day and the Blue Streaks kept doing what they have been doing. Maddie Panus ‘23, Goodman, Allie Geletka ‘25 and Anna Glass ‘24 secured a first-place finish with a speed of 1:48.32. 

Dalziel finished first in the 200 Freestyle with a time of 1:53.73, placing a new OAC record along the way. 

As the swimming events wrapped up for the day, it was time for diving. 

John Carroll was able to have all six divers place a podium finish, the first time this has happened in head diving coach Lewis Fellinger’s 28 years as coach. 

Day 4 

As the OAC Championships wrapped up on day four, John Carroll carried a significant lead and held on to it as they earned their seventh straight OAC Championship. 

One of the most compelling events of the night was the 200 Breaststroke where John Carroll had swimmers place in the top three. Nadur took first (2:03.27), Venos took second (2:06.63) and Patrick Branch ‘26 took third (2:06.96). 

The Blue Streaks also took home first in the 400 Freestyle relay. Farr, McDonnell, Heller and Owen Holm ‘26 finished with a fast time of 3:01.72.  

Lauren Koppelmann ‘26 got things going on the women’s side in the 200 Backstroke, finishing with a time of 2:07.89, good for first place. 

John Carroll dominated in the 100 Freestyle, placing swimmers in three of the top four spots.  Dalziel (52.26) placed first with Hamilton (52.58) finishing narrowly behind her to finish in second place. Hoffman (53.29) was good for fourth place as well. 

In the last swimming event of the day, the 400 Freestyle, Hoffman, Hamilton, Lynch and Dalziel narrowly beat rival Mount Union (3:30.57) to set a new OAC and program record. 

The Blue Streaks divers took home first, second and third place on the last day. Catherine Steinwachs ‘23 (396.15), Anne Meunier ‘26 (355.70), Kathryn Visco ‘23 (353.70) and all six divers placed a podium spot for the second consecutive day. 

John Carroll now awaits an announcement from nationals this week which will say which athlete will move on to the larger competition..