The Patriots women’s swimming & diving team is entering this season with a team that has a mix of veterans to go along with underclassmen making up majority of this year’s squad. The Patriots are coming off winning their 12th consecutive Mid-South Conference Championship before posting an eighth place finish at the 2024 NAIA National Championship. Cumberlands notched 22 NAIA All-Americans along with having the reigning MSC Freshman of the Year. UC returned 17 returners from last year’s squad, to go along with 12 newcomers that will provide competition and depth for the upcoming season.
Entering her sophomore season, Alicja Sedlak is one of the most versatile swimmers for the Patriots as she competes in breast, IM, and freestyle events. The Torun, Poland native was a two-time NAIA All-American, after placing fifth in the 400 IM in addition to being part of UC’s 800 free relay that garnered national honors. Sedlak earned MSC Freshman of the Year accolades after winning both the 400 IM and the 200 breast during the MSC Championships.
Michelle Weiss and Filippa Malmstrom are two returns that are poised to have a huge impact for Cumberlands this season. Weiss is a distance swimmer for the Patriots and is on the heels of a strong freshman season. The Pierre, SD native earned four All-Conference honors, including winning the 500 free at the conference championship before winning the consolation final of the 500 during nationals. Wiess was also part of UC 800 free relay that earned All-American honors.
Malmstrom is poised for a strong season this year for the Patriots. The Sweden native is a two-time NAIA All-American and a three-time All-Conference selection. Malmstrom continues to have an impact in the fly and IM events individually and according to Coach Skelly will play a pivotal role in UC’s relays this season.
One of the strongest events for UC this season will be the breaststroke. This year the Patriots will have nine swimmers that utilize the breaststroke as one of the premier events, led by veterans Ashley Schoenlein, Celin Ullern, Isabella Cooksey, Kathryn Harrison, Abbey Richardson, and Sedlak. Newcomers Megan Schoenlein and Moa Nyblom gives the Patriots depth and versatility in both the 100 and 200 breast. Ashley Schoenlein and Cooksey both earned MSC All-Conference honors, while Harrison was part of UC’s 200 medley relay that captured All-American honors.
Isabella Cooksey is entering her second season as captain for the Patriots being joined alongside by Madeline Barbee. Cooksey is a four-time MSC All-Conference selection and has a NAIA All-American honor to her credit. The Waco, KY native has qualified for nationals each of the past three years. Barbee is a sophomore from Bowling Green, KY that is coming off a strong freshman campaign. Barbee clocked a season-best time of 2:09.82 in the 200 back.
This year’s team features 12 newcomers, who are going to bring versatility and depth for the Patriots. According to Coach Skelly, this incoming group of newcomers has been really impressive in practices. Sara Zoellner, Ugne Takuseviciute, Juliana Lopez Morales, and Megan Schoenlein are a few of the newcomers to keep an eye on this season. Zoellner is a transfer from Florida Gulf Coast University that brings versatility to UC. According to Coach Skelly, Zollner will swim multiple events and also be part of several relays. Takuseviciute is a sprint freestyler from Siauliai, Lithuania, while Lopez Morales is a sprint freestyler from Ibague, Colombia. Schoenlein adds depth to the Patriots breaststroke and could be one of the top performers this season.
Cumberlands opens the season at home when they host Union on October 18th at 5:30 p.m. The following day, UC host MSC rival Lindsey Wilson at 12 p.m. Cumberlands won both the men's and women's dual meet with the Blue Raiders last season. The Patriots remain at home to face Asbury on November 2nd. Later in November, Cumberlands makes its first of three trips to Danville, KY on the year this time for the Centre College Invite. This meet will serve as UC's mid-season meet, featuring three days of prelims and finals. The Patriots close out the 2024 portion on their schedule on December 6th when they travel to Portsmouth, OH to take on Shawnee State.
Cumberlands will take part in three dual meets in January beginning on January 4th when they travel to the Volunteer State to take on Milligan. Both the Patriots and Buffaloes posted top-ten finishes at the 2024 NAIA Championships. On January 17th, UC travels to Danville, KY to face Centre College. The following day, the Patriots return home to host Indiana Wesleyan. That meet will serve as senior day for the Patriots swimming & diving team.
The Mid-South Conference Championships is slated for February 6-8 in Danville, KY. This marks the first time that the MSC Championship will be hosted at Centre College. The 2025 NAIA National Championships is scheduled for March 5-8 at the Elkhart Aquatic Center in Elkhart, IN.