The 2025-2026 NCAA swimming season saw several first-year Division I head coaches take charge of their new teams, with varying degrees of success. Here's a breakdown of their performances, focusing on the women's teams at Stanford, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame, as well as the men's teams at Wisconsin and Notre Dame, and the mid-major programs of John Carroll, Georgetown, Niagara, and Cal State Bakersfield.
Stanford Women
Stanford women's swimming under new coach Chris Lindauer showed significant improvement, with standout performances from Torri Huske and Lucy Bell. At the ACC and NCAA Championships, the team achieved 31% and 24% personal bests, respectively, a slight improvement from the previous season. However, the team's overall finish remained strong, placing second at both championship events.
Wisconsin Women
The Wisconsin women's team, led by new coach Jack Brown, saw dramatic improvements. Sophomore Maggie Wanezek and the team as a whole made significant strides, with 4 personal bests at the NCAA Championships (19%) and 23 personal bests at the Big Ten Championships (38%). The team's overall finish improved from 13th to 12th at the NCAA Championships, and they matched their Big Ten performance.
Notre Dame Women
The Notre Dame women's team, under new coach Michael Norment, also showed improvement. The team finished 33rd at the 2026 NCAAs, an improvement from 44th in 2025. The women's top swimmer, Carli Cronk, had a strong year, moving up the rankings in the 200 fly. The team's personal best percentage improved from 17% to 0% at the NCAAs, indicating a strong showing.
Wisconsin Men
The Wisconsin men's team, led by coach Jack Brown, also saw improvements. Sophomore Dominik Mark Torok and freshman Enzo Solitario made significant strides, with Torok setting two new lifetime bests and Solitario earning a bronze medal at the Big Ten Championships. The team's overall finish improved from 32nd to 22nd at the Big Ten Championships, and they finished 5th overall.
Notre Dame Men
The Notre Dame men's team, under new coach Michael Norment, came back from suspension strong. Sophomore Marcus Reyes-Gentry and freshmen Tommy Janton and Shane Eckler had strong meets, with Janton setting season bests and Eckler setting a lifetime best. The team set 30 personal bests, finishing 37th at the NCAAs.
Mid-Major Programs
The mid-major programs of John Carroll, Georgetown, Niagara, and Cal State Bakersfield also saw improvements. John Carroll and Georgetown repeated as Big East Champions, with improved personal best percentages. Niagara's men and women finished 3rd in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, with improved personal best percentages. Cal State Bakersfield's women finished 6th at the Big West meet, while the men finished 5th.
In conclusion, the 2025-2026 NCAA swimming season saw several first-year head coaches make a positive impact on their teams. The women's teams at Stanford and Wisconsin, and the men's teams at Wisconsin and Notre Dame, all showed significant improvements, while the mid-major programs also made strides. The new coaches' leadership and guidance seem to have paid off, with many swimmers improving their times and performances.
