WashU Men’s Swimming and Diving Team Triumphs over SLU in Season Opener

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WashU Men’s Swimming & Diving Dominates Saint Louis University in Season Opener

St. Louis, Mo. – The Washington University in St. Louis men’s swimming and diving team began its 2025-26 season with a decisive victory over Division I Saint Louis University, winning 172.00-103.00.

First-year ian Corey finished second in the 1-Metre Diving event with a score of 169.10. In the 1,000 Freestyle, Chan secured his first collegiate win, finishing in 9:25.90, followed closely by first-year Alex Nguyen in 9:49.63.

Senior Ethan Feng dominated the 200 Freestyle, taking first place with a time of 1:43.17, while first-year Gavin Coggin and senior Orluke Borjigin secured third and fourth places respectively with times of 1:45.17 and 1:45.32, closely followed by Matthew Giardinelli. Zhu won the 100 Backstroke in 51.64, with sophomore Nicholas Frank coming in fourth (53.36). Scott finished second in the 100 Breaststroke (57.68) while Kevin Raghanathan finished fourth (58.95).

What specific training techniques employed by WashU’s swimming and diving program contributed to their success in this meet?

Dominating Performance at Millstone Pool

The Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) Men’s Swimming and Diving team kicked off their 2025-2026 season with a decisive victory against Saint Louis University (SLU) on September 27th, 2025. The meet, held at WashU’s Millstone Pool, showcased the Bears’ depth and talent, setting a positive tone for the upcoming competitive year. Final scores saw WashU securing a commanding win, 168-92. This early season success highlights the program’s continued commitment to excellence in collegiate swimming and diving.

Key Performances and Event Highlights

Several Bears delivered standout performances,contributing substantially to the team’s overall success.

* Individual Event Wins: WashU swimmers claimed victory in a majority of the individual events. Notable wins included:

* Sophomore Ethan Nguyen in the 1000-yard freestyle, clocking in at 9:45.22.

* Junior Captain Alex Norstad dominating the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:41.05.

* Freshman sensation, Ben carter, securing first place in both the 100-yard and 200-yard butterfly.

* Senior diver,Michael Zhang,achieving a season-best score in the 1-meter and 3-meter dives.

* Relay Success: The Bears’ relay teams consistently outperformed SLU, demonstrating strong teamwork and coordination. The 200-yard medley relay team (carter, Davis, Lee, and Norstad) finished with a time of 1:32.87.

* Depth chart Strength: Beyond the event winners, numerous WashU swimmers contributed valuable points, showcasing the team’s overall depth. Several Bears achieved personal best times, indicating meaningful progress during the off-season training.

Diving Prowess on Display

The WashU diving team proved to be a crucial component of the victory. Michael Zhang’s consistent performance and high scores in both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events provided a significant advantage. The diving squad’s dedication to technique and precision was evident throughout the competition. This success builds on the program’s reputation for developing strong divers, contributing to overall team scoring in dual meets and championship competitions. Collegiate diving requires rigorous training and mental fortitude, qualities exemplified by Zhang and his teammates.

Strategic Coaching and team Dynamics

Head Coach Josh Graber emphasized the importance of strategic race planning and positive team dynamics.”We focused on executing our race strategies and supporting each other throughout the meet,” Graber stated. “the energy in Millstone pool was fantastic,and the guys really fed off of that.” The coaching staff’s emphasis on individual improvement and team cohesion is a key factor in the program’s continued success.Pre-season training focused on building endurance, refining technique, and fostering a strong team environment.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming meets and Championship Goals

This season opener provides a solid foundation for the WashU Men’s Swimming and Diving team as they look ahead to a challenging schedule.

* Upcoming Competitions: The team will next compete against Carnegie Mellon University on October 11th, 2025.

* Conference Championships: The ultimate goal for the season is to perform well at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships in February 2026.

* NCAA Championships: Qualifying swimmers and divers will aim to compete at the NCAA Division III Championships in March 2026.

Benefits of Collegiate Swimming & Diving

Participating in collegiate swimming and diving offers numerous benefits beyond athletic achievement:

* Physical Fitness: The sport demands peak physical condition, promoting cardiovascular health, strength, and endurance.

* Time Management: Balancing rigorous training schedules with academic demands cultivates excellent time management skills.

* Teamwork & Leadership: swimming and diving foster a strong sense of teamwork and provide opportunities for leadership development.

* Mental Discipline: The sport requires mental toughness,focus,and the ability to perform under pressure.

Training Regimen Insights

washu’s swimming and diving training program is known for its intensity and focus on technical precision. A typical week includes:

1. Endurance Work: Long-distance swims to build cardiovascular fitness.
2. Sprint Training: High-intensity intervals to improve speed and power.
3. Technical Drills: focused practice on stroke technique and starts/turns.
4. Strength & Conditioning: Weightlifting and dryland exercises to enhance strength and prevent injuries.
5. Dive-Specific Training: Repetitive practice of dives, focusing on technique, entry, and scoring.