Katey Woodruff, Staff Writer–

The Denison’s men’s swimming and diving team took home the NCAA Division III national championship title  on March 22. The title is its first since 2019 and sixth overall. 

The meet was held in Greensboro, North Carolina, and lasted four days with preliminary competitions every morning and finals in the evenings. 

Denison had 19 qualifiers for both the men’s and women’s teams. The students gave up their spring break to compete, leaving March 17 and coming back March 23.

“It was a long meet. It’s tiring, tensions are high,” Varsity swim and dive manager Reid Maynard ‘28 said. “It’s very stressful, but the entire time the team was in great spirits and that showed with the outcome we expected.”

The men’s team did not post a first-place finish but had nine finishes in the top six and recorded 463.5 points to easily outdistance runner-up Emory (305.5), which had won the previous three titles.

Throughout the season, the team practiced six days a week, with four of the days being double practice days; two hour morning practices and two hour afternoon practices. They also commit to having a dry season, meaning they don’t go out on the weekends, with rest and recovery being the main goal.

“It’s very involved, even when we’re not in the pool and we’re not in the weight room, it’s a process,” George Goins ‘28 said. “You kind of have to prioritize your recovery, so even when we are not in the pool, being diligent about our rest is part of our training schedule. It’s a lifestyle.”

Goins was one of three first-years competing on the national team. He finished third in the 1650, which is the mile swim.

“Having an impact as a freshman has been such a special experience for me on a team that’s mostly led by seniors and a couple sophomores. Next year, I’ll have a bigger part in the leadership and will hopefully help make our six banners into nine,” Goins said.

The senior class came in third place their first year at nationals, eighth place their sophomore year, and sixth place their junior year, making this victory a long time coming.

“Falling down the rankings hurt at the time being, but slowly climbing back up made it so much sweeter,” Lucas Conrads ‘25 said. “It still hasn’t really hit me yet.”

Conrads was fifth in the 1650 freestyle, earning him a First Team All-American title.

The top eight finishers earn First Team All-American  honors. Also earning that status was Tyler Distenfeld ‘25 (second, 1650 freestyle), Patrick Daly ‘25 (second, 200 breaststroke), Elijah Venos ‘25 (fourth, 200 breaststroke), Gavin Jones ‘25 (fifth, 200 breaststroke), Jack Hill ‘27 (tied for fifth, 100 freestyle), Devin Testin ‘27 (sixth, 200 backstroke) and the 400 freestyle relay (second) of Nick Hensel ‘28, Andre Beduschi ‘27, Daly and Hill).

In addition, coach Gregg Parini was named Division III Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year.

The Denison women’s swim and dive team finished fourth with 370.5 points as MIT won with 497. It was Denison’s 33rd top-five finish.

Earning First Team All-American honors were Drue Thielking ‘26 (fourth, 200 breaststroke), Quinn Brown ‘26 (fifth, 1650 freestyle), Avery Vogen ‘25 (fifth, 100 freestyle), Grace Kadlecik ‘25 (tied for seventh, 100 freestyle), and the 400 freestyle relay (fourth) of Phoebe Ferguson ‘26, Emily Harris ‘26, Kadlecik, and Vogen.

 “It was super exciting and definitely a testament to our hard work this year,” Audrey Brink ‘28 said. “As a team we had a really strong team culture that definitely contributed to our success.”

Denison had the largest crowd of spectators out of the competing schools, with all but a few swimmers showing up to support their teammates. They were joined by parents, Denison faculty, and alumni who had previously been in the program. The group drew attention with signs and posters, dressing in themes, and personalized cheers that kept the energy high for the whole week.

“One of our freshmen boys stood up and said ‘If there is a Denison swimmer in the water we are not sitting down,’ and that was true,” Maynard said. “The entire time a swimmer was in the water, even during the 20-minute mile race, those boys were standing up cheering, so that was really cool.”

“One hundred percent; this was a good way to end the college swim career,” Conrads said. “Can’t have too many regrets when you get to hold up that trophy with your best friends,”

Running on the adrenaline from this big win, the team plans to return full-force in the fall to continue their training and prepare for the next national championship, hopefully one that will have the same outcome.

“I think we have a legitimate shot at being on the top of that podium every single year, continuing the culture and the legacy that we have at this school,” Goins said. “I can’t wait for the next three years.”