Dear friends and alumni of the Ohio State swimming and diving family, As we begin a new year full of promise and possibility, I want to express my profound gratitude to each of you, our incredible Buckeye alumni and supporters. Your unwavering passion, encouragement, and commitment have shaped the rich legacy of our program and continue to inspire our current student-athletes every day. At the heart of Ohio State swimming and diving is a commitment to servant leadership. We strive to develop young men and women who lead by putting others first, and serving their teammates, their community, and the greater good. This same spirit of selfless service is embodied by so many of you, through mentorship, reunion gatherings, professional guidance, and the countless ways you give back. This year, I invite us all to embrace the powerful theme of Pay It Forward. The opportunities, friendships, and life-changing experiences you enjoyed as Buckeyes were made possible by those who came before you. Now, it's our turn to ensure the next generation of swimmers and divers have the resources and support they need to thrive. Your generous alumni giving is essential to the sustained success of our men's and women's programs. Contributions help fund scholarships, enhance training facilities, support travel and competition opportunities, and provide the tools our student-athletes need to excel in the pool, in the classroom, and in life. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference and strengthens our Buckeye family for years to come. Thank you for considering how you can pay it forward. Together, we will continue to build on our proud tradition of excellence. Go Buckeyes! With gratitude, Bill Dorenkott Director of Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving
NEW BLING
The 2025 Big Ten Champion Ohio State women's swimming and diving team received their rings prior to the Alumni Meet this fall. The Buckeyes have won five Big Ten titles in six years. Individual Big Ten champions Sienna Angove, Lena Hentschel, Tristan Jankovics, Matthew Klinge and Tomas Navikonis also received rings.
STAFF UPDATES
Director of Swimming & Diving Bill Dorenkott announced changes to the coaching staff following the departure of associate head coach Michael Hulme.
Brian Schrader and Norm Wright were elevated into associate head coach positions. Michael Butler was hired as an assistant coach and Patrick Hemingway will serve as a graduate intern.
A STRONG START TO 2026
The Buckeyes opened the new year with a dual meet against Big Ten foe Michigan at McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion.
The then-No. 16 Buckeye men came away with a 167-133 victory over then-No. 11 Michigan.
Although the No. 14 women fell to the No. 4 Wolverines, Mila Nikanorov turned in one of the most exciting performances in Buckeye history. Nikanorov swam a program-record time of 9:22.37 in the 1000 free. The time is also a Big Ten record, and she is now the ninth-best all-time performer in the 1000 free, joining powerhouse top-10 performers such as Katie Ledecky and Katie Grimes.
Following their performances against the Wolverines, three Buckeyes earned Big Ten weekly honors.
SUPPORT THE OHIO STATE SWIMMING AND DIVING PROGRAM
Dear Buckeye Nation, We are navigating a time of profound change in college athletics, particularly for Olympic sports like ours. The future feels uncertain with ongoing court cases, the House Settlement, and a landscape that now includes four West Coast teams in the Big Ten. As former student-athletes, you know better than anyone that change is the only constant in life. These shifts are directly affecting Ohio State swimming and diving. Under the terms of the still-evolving House Settlement, we have reduced our rosters from 40 to 30 athletes each for the men’s and women’s teams, the first roster cuts I’ve ever had to make in my 17 years leading this program. We also lost two full-time coaching positions as part of a department-wide efficiency plan. These decisions were among the hardest I’ve ever faced. They involved outstanding people, student-athletes and coaches who gave everything to our program. We handled every conversation with transparency, respect, and care, and many of those impacted have already secured excellent opportunities elsewhere. Personally, these changes have been painful. I became a coach to create opportunities for young people to grow through sport, not to take them away. My deepest hope is that together we can protect this special program and preserve those opportunities for future generations of Buckeyes. Here’s what I know without question: Buckeye Nation is resilient, generous, and always rises to the moment. Your support—now more than ever—is what will carry us forward. It can take many forms: a message of encouragement to the team, help connecting our student-athletes with internships or jobs, mentorship, or, for those able and inclined, a financial gift. When I started coaching 34 years ago, the world was simpler. Today we navigate NIL, revenue sharing, endowments, and legacy giving. Yet the core remains unchanged; our shared love for Ohio State and the transformative power of this program. The real way we Pay It Forward is by ensuring the next generation of Buckeyes has the same life-changing platform you did; scholarships, elite training resources, competitive opportunities, and the chance to grow into servant leaders on and off the deck. Your alumni gifts directly fuel our sustained success and help us weather these challenges. Every contribution, large or small, strengthens our foundation and sends a powerful message that Buckeye swimming and diving matters. Thank you for everything you’ve done, and continue to do, for the Scarlet and Gray. There is nothing stronger than Buckeye Nation. Go Bucks! Bill Dorenkott Director of Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving
OUR CURRENT USE FUNDS
Swimming and Diving Excellence Fund – 317363
Description: Used at the discretion of swimming administration to meet strategic needs of the swimming program, through specific annual fund initiatives.
Diving and Swimming Fund – 303739
Description: For Pool Equipment Training Aids and Additional Immediate Needs of the Diving and Swimming Program.
McCorkle Aquatics Pavilion – 310508
Description: To Collect Gifts for the Purpose of the Peppe Aquatic Center. All funds transfer to the plant fund for the facility – 830340-54140.
Men's Swimming Support Fund – 312970
Description: Funds will be used to support activities of men's swimming program including but not limited to, travel expenses and purchases of equipment & supplies.
Men's Swimming Managers – 313488
Description: Funds will be used to support annual book scholarships for the managers of the men's swimming team.
Women's Swimming Support Fund – 312845
Description: Funds will be used to support activities of women's swimming program including but not limited to, travel expenses and purchases of equipment & supplies.
Diving Program Support Fund – 312888
Description: Funds will be used to support the activities of the diving program including, but not limited to travel expenses and purchases of & equipment supplies.
OUR ENDOWMENT FUNDS
Michael Peppe-Carl Wirthwein Scholarship Fund – 605718
Description: Established November 15, 1963, by Albert Wiggins, Jr., in their honor. Income provides scholarships for students on the swimming or diving teams.
The Samuel B. McCulloch Memorial Fund – 604661
Description: Established September 2, 1992, by widow Virginia, Charles W. Atkinson, other friends and colleagues. Income provides scholarships or grants-in-aid to varsity swimmers.
Timothy P. and Colleen C. Duffey Swimming Scholarship Fund – 641840
Description: Established November 4, 2005, by Dr. Timothy Duffey through The Foundation. Distribution supplements a grant-in-aid for an undergraduate varsity swim team member. Unused distribution is reinvested to principal.
The Daniel H. and Louise Ann Lease Swimming Athletic Scholarship Fund – 644050
Description: Established April 5, 2013, with a gift from Dan and Jacquelyn Lease; used to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of an intercollegiate student-athlete who is a member of the men’s or women’s swimming team.
The Jacquelyn and Dan Lease Swimming Athletic Scholarship Fund – 644051
Description: Established April 8, 2016, with gifts from Dan (MBA 1974) and Jacquelyn Lease from Fremont, Ohio; used to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of an intercollegiate student-athlete who is a member of the men’s or women’s swimming team and is pursuing an undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University.
The Garrett Family Athletic Scholarship Fund – 662706
Description: Established April 4, 2008 with gifts from Garrett Equipment Inc.; used to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of an intercollegiate student-athlete who is a member of the varsity swimming team.
The Helen, Joseph, Lynne and Steve Skilken Athletic Scholarship Fund – 606656
Description: Established February 2, 1990, by the Helen and Joseph Skilken Foundation. Income supplements grants-in-aid for members on the men's varsity swimming and diving team.
The Tom W. Davis Men's Swimming and Diving Scholarship Fund – 641584
Description: Established June 7, 2013, with gifts from Tom W. Davis; ten percent shall be reinvested and the remainder used to supplement the grant-in-aid costs of an undergraduate student-athlete who is a member of the men’s swimming team or diving team, with first preference given to a member of the diving team.
The Howell Family Scholarship Fund – 603308
Description: Established June 1, 2001, from the estate of William B. Howell and Marcia Howell and family. Income provides scholarships to undergraduates on the men's varsity swimming team.
The Elwood W. 'Red' Woodling Family Swimming Scholarship Fund – 607726
Description: Established April 8, 1994, by his family. Income supplements grants-in-aid for members of the men's varsity swimming team.
The Dr. Robert Bartels Men's Swimming Performance Fund – 640333
Description: Established April 7, 2017, with gifts from Timothy Duffey (BS 1977) of Columbus, Ohio and The Ohio State University Men’s Varsity “O” Alumni Society of Columbus, Ohio; used to supplement the training costs of the men’s swimming team.
Coach John F. Bruce Swimming Scholarship Fund – 640885
Description: Established July 12, 2002, with seed gifts from Dr. Timothy Duffey, Shawn Sentz and Joseph Budde and other gifts from family, friends, and former athletes of the late swimming coach; used to supplement the student grant-in-aid scholarship costs of a student-athlete who is a member of the men’s swimming team pursuing an undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University. Revised June 4, 2004 and May 31, 2019.
The Richard M. Mora Athletic Scholarship Fund in Honor of the 1962 NCAA Swimming Championship Team – 645033
Description: Established August 31, 2012 with a gift from Richard M. Mora; used to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of an intercollegiate student-athlete who is a member of the men’s swimming team and pursuing an undergraduate degree.
The Al Wiggins Discretionary Fund for Men's Swimming – 647691
Description: Established February 10, 2012 with a charitable gift annuity from Albert M. Wiggins, Jr.; used at the discretion of the coach of the men’s swimming team.
The Al Wiggins Men's Swimming Scholarship Fund – 647716
Description: Established February 10, 2012 with a charitable gift annuity from Albert M. Wiggins, Jr.; used to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of an intercollegiate student-athlete and is a member of the men’s swimming team.
The Auer Family Athletic Scholarship Fund – 660170
Description: Established February 6, 2009, with a gift from John F. Auer (BSBA 1976); used to supplement the grant-in-aid costs of an intercollegiate student-athlete who is a member of the varsity men's tennis team or varsity men's swimming team and pursuing an undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University. Revised April 4, 2014 and February 27, 2020.
The Michael P. Cochran Memorial Scholarship Fund – 661175
Description: Established May 5, 2006, by Dr. Philip and Barbara Cochran through The Foundation. Distribution supplements a grant-in-aid for an undergraduate varsity men's swimming team member, preferably from Northwest Ohio.
Dale R. England Family Athletic Scholarship Fund – 661960
Description: Established March 3, 2006, by Dale R. England, Jr., in memory of Dale Sr., through The Foundation. Distribution provides an undergraduate scholarship to a men's varsity swimming team member with preference to a business student.
The John H. Higgins Memorial Athletic Scholarship Fund – 663175
Description: Established February 4, 2005, by John H. Higgins Jr. through The Foundation. Distribution supplements a grant-in-aid for a varsity men's swimming team undergraduate, preferably in the butterfly or breaststroke events.
The Charles and Irene Salie Men's Swimming Scholarship Fund – 666270
Description: Established April 7, 2006, by Charles Salie through The Foundation. Distribution supplements a grant-in-aid for an undergraduate men's swim team member with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
The Westman Family Swimming Athletic Scholarship Fund – 667627
Description: Established April 4, 2008 with a gift from John Westman and Renee Haas Westman; used to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of a student-athlete who is a member of the varsity men’s swimming team.
The Auer Family Women’s Swimming Scholarship Fund – 640227
Description: Established August 29, 2014, with a gift from John Auer [BS 1976] of St. Petersburg, Florida; used to supplement the grant-in-aid costs of an undergraduate student-athlete with preference given to members of the women’s swimming team.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio Athletic Scholarship Fund – 640600
Description: Established February 1, 2013 with a gift from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio; used to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of an intercollegiate student-athlete who is a member of the women’s swimming team and is pursuing an undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University with preference given to a student-athlete pursuing a career in the health/allied medical profession.
The Holly and Greg Cush Family Women's Swimming Support Fund – 641526
Description: Established February 1, 2013 with a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Greg Cush; used to supplement the discretionary budget of the women’s swimming program.
The McNulty Family Champions Fund – 645433
Description: Established April 8, 2016, with a gift from Suzanne and Jim (BS 1988) McNulty from Greenville, South Carolina; used to supplement the discretionary budget of the women’s swimming team. Revised May 31, 2019.
The Women's Swimming Team December Training Endowment Fund – 647687
Description: Established February 6, 1998, by friends of the women's swimming program through The Foundation. Income supplements the training costs for undergraduate members of the women's swimming team.
The Scott C. Stallkamp Family Endowment – 666867
Description: Established April 4, 2008 with a gift from Scott C. and Jeanna M. Stallkamp; used to supplement the grant-in-aid scholarship costs of a student-athlete who is a member of the varsity women’s swimming team.
Dennis R. Baer Family Athletic Scholarship Fund – 483129
Description: Provides one or more tuition and fees scholarship to undergraduate student-athletes participating (in order of preference) Men's cross country/track, men's wrestling, men's gymnastics, Men's swimming and men's ice hockey.
MORE ABOUT THE OHIO STATE SWIMMING & DIVING EXCELLENCE FUND
- This fund was originally started during the Covid-19 pandemic to offset the $50 million dollar budget deficit brought on by the pandemic.
- Our alumni stepped up in a big way, which included helping to cover the travel and lodging costs for our teams during the Big Ten and NCAA Championships, giving our student-athletes a true championship experience in spite of the departmental budget shortfall during Covid.
- The fund is designed to help meet the strategic needs of the swimming and diving program, now and in the future, by offsetting costs not covered by our operating budget.
- As we continue to grow competitively on the Big Ten, NCAA and world stage, our support for world class athletes needs to keep pace.
- Annual fixed costs from the Ohio State Swimming and Diving Excellence Fund will include, but are not limited to:
- $40k toward outside programming including:
- A performance consultant who works with myself, our staff and each of the respective men’s and women’s swim and dive teams.
- The top swimming video consultant in the world
- Books scholarships for our managers
- A licensed massage therapist (we have worked with Paul Johnson for the past 20 years) for major competitions including Big Tens, NCAAs and Olympic Trials
- 48.6k to fund a newly created assistant coach position which will pay 35.5k, plus 13.1k in benefits. The NCAA banned volunteer assistants starting in 2023-24, but added additional full-time positions if schools can fund them. We have been asked to fund these positions on a sport-by-sport basis.
- 50k for our annual discretionary fund needs which include:
- Power Tower and Power Rack maintenance
- Video equipment maintenance and replacement
- Cell phones, computers and bonus plan for our newly created positions
- Of the annual 50k for team needs, we try to set aside 25k per year to fund a once every four-year team trip to Hawaii over the holiday break. We consider this trip a “Heritage Trip” as our Ohio State history has a long and storied connection to the Hawaiian Islands. If you have not read "The Three-Year Swim Club: The Untold Story of Maui’s Sugar Ditch Kids and Their Quest for Olympic Glory," then I would highly encourage you to read it. It is a compelling story that includes many Buckeye greats.