2025 Recap
Catholic University continued its historic run at the Landmark Conference Men’s Swimming & Diving Championship, capturing its ninth straight conference title with a dominant performance. The Cardinals scored 874.5 points, finishing more than 100 points clear of the field.
The nine consecutive championships set a new school record for longest title streak, and is tied with Merchant Marine for the most total championships in conference history, with nine overall titles.
The Cardinals won seven gold medals and earned a meet-best 24 total medals over the four-day championship.
Award Winners
- Swimmer of the Year: Nicholas Heinio-Widell (Drew)*
- Diver of the Year: Charles Connolly III (Catholic)*
- Rookie of the Year: Thiago Silva (Drew)*
- Coaching Staff of the Year: Catholic University
*denotes returners at the 2026 championship
2025 Final Standings
- Catholic: 874.5 points
- Scranton: 751.5 points
- Drew: 681 points
- Elizabethtown: 320 points
- Susquehanna: 230 points
- Wilkes: 151 points
- Juniata: 143 points
- Goucher: 117 points
- Lycoming: 88 points
- Moravian: 8 points
The 2025-26 Landmark Conference Men's Swimming & Diving Championship is set for Thursday, February 12, through Sunday, February 15, at the Mangione Aquatic Center on Loyola University's campus in Baltimore, Maryland.
The action kicks off on Thursday with the men’s 1-meter diving preliminaries at 4:30 p.m., followed by the men’s and women’s 200-yard medley and 800-yard freestyle relay events, as well as the men’s 1-meter diving finals, starting at 6:00 p.m.
Stay up to date all weekend with results, video coverage, the full schedule, and the latest news by clicking the 'Championship Homepage' button below.
Ticket Information
The event will operate cashless. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online via Hometown Ticketing ahead of time. On-site credit card payments can also be made using the Hometown Ticketing app.
Thursday Pricing
- Adults (18+): $10
- Minors (10-17): $5
Friday-Sunday Pricing
- Adults (18+): $25
- Minors (10-17): $15
Children aged nine and under, as well as Landmark students and faculty with valid institutional ID, receive free admission.
Please note that single-session and all-session passes will not be available.
Championship Poll
Catholic University was selected as the favorite in the 2026 Landmark Conference Men’s Swimming & Diving Championship Poll after capturing the 2025 league title. The Cardinals return a strong core of All-Conference performers, including reigning Diver of the Year Charles Connolly III.
Drew University was picked second following a third-place finish a year ago. The Rangers bring back multiple individual and relay medalists, led by two-time Swimmer of the Year Nicholas Heinio-Widell, and are expected to challenge for the title again this season.
The University of Scranton rounded out the top three after finishing second in 2025 and returning eight All-Conference performers, giving the Royals a deep and experienced lineup.
Susquehanna University was tabbed fourth as the River Hawks look to take the next step under new head coach John Funk following recent mid-pack finishes. Elizabethtown College followed in fifth to round out the top half of the poll.
Juniata College and Wilkes University tied for sixth, while Lycoming College, Goucher College, and Moravian University rounded out the championship poll.
Catholic University
- Head Coach: Chris Paynter (1st Season)
- Team Titles: 9 (Last in 2025)
- 2026 Projected Team Finish: 1st
At A Glance
Catholic enters the championship as the top seed under the guidance of first-year head coach Christopher Paytner, who comes to the Cardinals from fellow Landmark program Wilkes University. Catholic returns 12 All-Conference performers, including three-time Diver of the Year Charles Connolly III, and brings experienced scorers across all events.
Swimmers & Divers to Watch
Charles Connolly III – 1-Meter & 3-Meter Diving A three-time Landmark Conference Diver of the Year, Connolly has firmly established himself as one of the most accomplished divers in conference history. His consistency across both boards allows Catholic to bank valuable points early in the meet and makes him a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ championship success.
Sean Kelty - Distance Freestyle A four-time medalist at last year’s championship, Kelty holds the Landmark Conference and championship meet records in the 1650 freestyle. He is Catholic’s primary distance scorer and a consistent presence in high-point individual events.
Teddy Tsakumis - Backstroke A two-time medalist, Tsakumis swept both backstroke events a season ago. His ability to score in the 100 and 200 backstroke adds stability to Catholic’s individual and relay lineups.
Drew University
- Head Coach: Rich Munson (11th Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2026 Projected Team Finish: 2nd
At A Glance
Drew enters the championship returning eight All-Conference performers and a roster built around proven individual scorers and high-level relay execution. The Rangers feature multiple returning champions and record holders, giving them scoring potential across all sessions of the meet.
Swimmers to Watch
Nicholas Heinio-Widell – Butterfly / Freestyle / Relays A two-time Landmark Conference Swimmer of the Year, Heinio-Widell holds both the Landmark Conference and championship meet records in the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle. He helped the Rangers’ 200 and 400 medley relays set conference records earlier this season, and went a perfect 7-for-7 at last year’s championship, winning three individual titles and swimming on four gold-medal relays.
Thiago Silva – Freestyle / Relays Silva secured six titles at last year’s championship, including two individual wins and four relay victories. He anchored the 400 freestyle relay to close out the meet and capped his weekend with a bronze medal in the 100 freestyle, providing Drew with reliable scoring in both individual and relay events.
Brendan Burkett – Freestyle / Relays Burkett won the 200 freestyle and contributed to all gold-medal relays at last year’s championship. He also earned silver medals in the 50 and 100 freestyle, adding depth and scoring strength for Drew’s sprint events.
Elizabethtown College
- Head Coach: Jessica Lane (3rd Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2026 Projected Team Finish: 5th
At A Glance
Elizabethtown enters the championship with a balanced roster led by a mix of experienced swimmers and underclassmen. The Blue Jays return two All-Conference performers, Leif Hoffmann and Austin Smith, and bring a team of one graduate student, three seniors, one junior, four sophomores, and three first-years ready to contribute across events.
Swimmers to Watch
Leif Hoffman – Backstroke / 200 Medley Relay
Hoffman earned silver in the 200 backstroke and bronze in the 100 backstroke at last year’s championship. He also helped the 200 medley relay take third, contributing both individual and relay points to Elizabethtown’s overall score.
Austin Smith – 200 Medley Relay
Smith is a returning All-Conference performer who contributed to the bronze 200 medley relay team last season. His experience adds depth to the Blue Jays’ relay lineups and provides reliable scoring in team events.
Goucher College
- Head Coach: Tom Till (28th Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2026 Projected Team Finish: 9th
At A Glance
Goucher enters the championship led by two seniors, one junior, two sophomores, and two first-years, including first-year standout Yi Yue, who has been a highlight for the young Gopher squad. The team looks to score in individual and relay events while gaining experience at the conference level.
Swimmers to Watch
Yi Yue – Sprint / Mid-Distance Freestyle
Yi Yue has made an immediate impact in his first season, posting competitive times in sprint and mid-distance freestyle events. His performances anchor the Gophers’ scoring opportunities and provide momentum for the team in multiple sessions.
Ben Graff – Butterfly
Graff specializes in butterfly events and has recorded four top-five finishes between the 100 and 200 butterfly. His consistency in these races gives Goucher reliable individual points and contributes to the team’s presence in conference finals.
Juniata College
- Head Coach: Kyle Russell (3rd Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2026 Projected Team Finish: T-6th
At A Glance
Juniata enters the championship with a roster featuring two seniors, six sophomores with championship experience, and five first-years.
Swimmers to Watch
Max Baronner – Breaststroke
Baronner is competitive in breaststroke events, with top-five finishes in the 100 and 200 breaststroke during the 2025–26 season. At the championship, he competed in the B-Finals of the 200 breaststroke, placing 13th.
Marshall Radonovich – Freestyle / Relays
Radonovich has four first-place finishes and seven top-five finishes in sprint freestyle events during the 2025–26 season. At the championship, he competed in the B-Finals of the 500 freestyle (14th), 200 freestyle (12th), and 100 freestyle (16th). He also contributes to relay lineups, helping Juniata score in team events.
Lycoming College
- Head Coach: Kelly Essler (2nd Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2026 Projected Team Finish: 7th
At A Glance
Lycoming enters the championship with a young roster, featuring two juniors, one sophomore, and two first-years. The Warriors aim to score in individual events and relays while gaining experience and building depth across sprint, mid-distance, and distance events.
Swimmers to Watch
Sean Martinez – Freestyle
Martinez competed in the B-Finals of the 500 freestyle (16th) and the 200 freestyle (11th) at the 2025–26 championship. His contributions provide consistent scoring and leadership in the freestyle events.
Drew Degnan – Butterfly
Degnan competed in the B-Finals of the 100 butterfly (16th), giving the Warriors reliable points in the sprint butterfly and contributing to relay lineups.
Moravian University
- Head Coach: Matt Easterday (3rd Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2026 Projected Team Finish: 10th
At A Glance
Moravian enters the championship with a young roster, made up of two sophomores and three first-years. With no upperclassmen, the Greyhounds rely on developing swimmers to contribute in individual events and relays while gaining valuable championship experience.
Swimmers to Watch
Charles Rumble – Freestyle / IM
Rumble has been a consistent contributor in his first season, recording a top-10 finish in every event he has swum during the season. His consistency across multiple events provides Moravian with reliable scoring opportunities heading into the championship.
Alden Zimmerman – IM / Breaststroke
Zimmerman competed as a first-year at the 2025 championship, placing 22nd in the 200 IM and 20th in the 100 breaststroke. He also advanced to the B-Finals of the 200 breaststroke, finishing 14th, contributing points in multiple events.
Rory Jenkins– Freestyle / Butterfly
Jenkins set the school record in the 50 freestyle with a time of 22.76 and is just shy of the record in the 100 freestyle at 51.14. He also ranks in Moravian’s Top 10 in the 50 and 100 butterfly and has contributed to program-record performances in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays as well as the 200 and 400 medley relays.
University of Scranton
- Head Coach: Chris Brown (7th Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2026 Projected Team Finish: 3rd
At a Glance
Scranton enters the championship returning eight All-Conference performers from 2025 and one of the deepest lineups in the conference. The Royals are positioned to score across swimming and diving events, with proven medalists in distance, sprint, relay, and diving competitions.
Swimmers & Divers to Watch
Jimmy O’Malley – Distance Freestyle
O’Malley was a silver medalist in both the 500 freestyle and 1650 freestyle at the 2025 championship. He also swam on the bronze-medal-winning 800 freestyle relay, providing Scranton with high-value points in distance events and relays.
Matt Sherry – Butterfly / Relays
Sherry earned a silver medal in the 100 butterfly and was part of multiple medal-winning relays, including silver in the 200 medley relay and bronze finishes in the 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay, and 400 medley relay. His versatility makes him a key contributor across multiple sessions.
Tim Hause – Diving
Hause adds scoring strength on the boards, earning silver in the 1-meter dive and bronze in the 3-meter dive at the 2025 championship. His performances give Scranton reliable points in both diving events.
Susquehanna University
- Head Coach: John Funk (1st Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2026 Projected Team Finish: 4th
At a Glance
Under the new leadership of head coach John Funk, Susquehanna enters the championship looking to build on recent finishes and push toward the top three in the team standings.
Swimmers to Watch
Akira Black – Breaststroke
Black advanced to the B-Finals in the 100 breaststroke, placing 11th. Their performance highlights Susquehanna’s depth in the breaststroke events and provides valuable scoring in finals sessions.
Tim Wetmore – IM / Breaststroke
Wetmore reached the B-Finals in the 400 IM, placing 10th, and added 13th-place finishes in both the 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke. Their versatility across the IM and breaststroke events provides Susquehanna with steady scoring opportunities.
Dan Venuti – IM / Butterfly / Backstroke
Venuti advanced to the B-Finals in multiple events, placing 12th in the 200 IM, 10th in the 100 butterfly, and ninth in the 200 backstroke. Their range across stroke events adds flexibility to the River Hawks’ lineup.
Wilkes University
- Head Coach: Arthur Wang (1st Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2026 Projected Team Finish: T-6th
At A Glance
Under the leadership of first-year head coach Arthur Wang, Wilkes enters the championship with a very young roster, with eight first-years, four sophomores, and three upperclassmen.
Swimmers to Watch
Caleb Keener – IM / Distance Freestyle
Keener advanced to the B-Finals of the 400 IM, placing 14th, and added a 15th-place finish in the 1650 freestyle, contributing points in both individual medley and distance events.
Alton Smargiassi – Butterfly
Smargiassi reached the B-Finals of the 100 butterfly, placing 12th, and advanced to the Championship Finals of the 200 butterfly, finishing eighth. His performance provides Wilkes with scoring potential in the butterfly events.
Jacob Piotrowski – Backstroke
Piotrowski reached the B-Finals of the 100 backstroke, placing 13th, and finished 12th in the 200 backstroke, providing consistent scoring in the backstroke events.
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