BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The 2023-24 Patriot League women's swimming and diving season opened in early October, with the League's 10 programs having competed.
The reigning Patriot League Women's Swimming and Diving Champion, Navy, aims for its 12th consecutive crown, welcoming back 12 All-League honorees from last season.
Army West Point returns eight members of the 2022-23 Patriot League First and Second Teams after finishing second at the Patriot League Championship.
The 2023-24 Patriot League Women's Swimming & Diving Championships will take place beginning Wednesday, Feb. 21, through Saturday, Feb. 24, at the U.S. Naval Academy's Lejeune Hall in Annapolis, Md.
AMERICAN EAGLES
Head Coach: Garland Bartlett (3rd season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 15/11
All-League Returnees: First Team-Mimi Watts (2023 Swimmer of the Meet)
Third-year head coach Garland Bartlett added 11 newcomers to bolster an already talented roster. Two-time First-Team All-Patriot League honoree, senior Mimi Watts looks to pick up where she left off as the 2023 Patriot League Women's Swimmer of the Meet from last February.
Coach Garland Bartlett on the Eagles: "I am very excited about this upcoming season for our women's team. Our returners have worked hard in the off-season to build on last year's success and have come back training at a higher level than where we were last season at this point. We have outstanding senior leaders who have already created a positive team culture this season and have welcomed our freshmen and transfers right away. We look to keep improving in the conference, and I am looking forward to seeing what our newcomers will add to our depth and talent in the league."
ARMY WEST POINT BLACK KNIGHTS
Head Coach: Brandt Nigro (5th season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 24/2
All-League Returnees: First Team-Meghan Cole, Catriona Gillmore, Aurelie Migault, Molly Webber, Clara Williams;
Second Team- Minh Donnell, Layne Peterson, Melinda Zhang
After finishing second at the 2023 Patriot League Championship, the Black Knights are poised for another strong season. Fifth-year head coach Brandt Nigro welcomes back eight All-Patriot League honorees led by senior stand-out Aurelie Mignault.
Coach Brandt Nigro on the Black Knights: "We have strong leadership from our Firstie class, and I'm excited to see them lead the team this year. We've brought in a strong freshman class and returned the bulk of our scoring spots from last year's Patriot League Championships. As a team, our goal is to continue to move forward and improve from top to bottom. Our diving team is one of the strongest and deepest we've had, and they will play a big part in our season's success. We look forward to an increased focus on long-course swimming this season as we prepare to qualify for and compete at this summer's US Olympic team Trials!"
BOSTON UNIVERSITY TERRIERS
Head Coach: James Sica (1st season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 19/0
All-League Returnees: First Team-Sumi Cameron (2023 Diver of the Meet), Haley Newman, Sophia Souza; Second Team-Lara Mitchell
First-year head coach James Sica takes over an experienced, talented Terriers’ lineup that finished fourth in the League last year. BU features three First-Team All-Patriot League honorees, including the 2023 League Diver of the Meet Sumi Cameron.
Coach James Sica on the Terriers: “Our women’s team has a lot of experience, with 11 seniors and 13 juniors returning this season. Olympic Trials qualifier Han Hoang is part of a small but mighty first-year class that will add some depth in key areas. With conference champions Haley Newman, Sophia Souza and Sumi Cameron all back, we are looking forward to how we will build on the success that we had last year.”
BUCKNELL BISON
Head Coach: Dan Schinnerer (18th season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 25/10
All-League Returnees: Second Team-Abby Doss, Esme Hunter, Caroline McGann
Coach Dan Schinnerer enters his 18th season at the helm with a strong mix of veterans and first-year talent. With the leadership of three senior Patriot League honorees, Abby Doss, Esme Hunter and Caroline McGann
, the Bison look to build on their third-place finish in last year’s League championship.
Coach Dan Schinnerer on the Bison: "We have a balanced team in regards to depth in events and a nice balance between experienced veterans and talented newcomers. We know there are some very good teams at the top of our conference, but we believe in the potential of this group.”
COLGATE RAIDERS
Head Coach: Ed Pretre (5th season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 29/1
All-League Returnees: None
Last season, Colgate scored 202.5 points at last year's Patriot League Championship, the most points for the program since 2016. Coach Pretre will turn to returners Brooke Garretson, Elizabeth Rainey, Audrey Collins, Jordan Hurt, Kate Hoover and Ella Olafsson to lead the Raiders' to even more success this season.
Coach Ed Pretre on the Raiders: "The energy of our team has been positively electric since day one. Even after five weeks of practice, that energy hasn't let up! They are a happy squad, and there is the old saying, happy swimmers are fast swimmers. Our women's team is ready to make another jump this year to get to that next level. It's still a young team that brings more experience to the grind of the season. Our freshmen are going to add a nice variety of depth."
HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS
Head Coach: Kristy Jones (2nd season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 17/10
All-League Returnees: None
Kristy Jones heads into her second season as head coach of the Crusaders. With a strong combination of talented returners and seven promising newcomers, Jones’ squad is looking forward to competing at a high level in the Patriot League this season.
Coach Kristy Jones on the Crusaders: "The 2023-2024 Holy Cross women’s swimming and diving team is a perfect example of the strength of unity and the power of mentorship. Our returning student-athletes have not only showcased their remarkable skills but have also embraced their roles as mentors and sources of support for our incoming freshmen. Our women’s team embodies the qualities of strength, intelligence, and resilience that we hold highly as a Jesuit Institution. We have set our sights on rising in the ranks of the Patriot League, and with the combined talent of our returning student-athletes and incoming freshmen, we have no doubt our women will re-write our record board this year! Go Cross Go!
LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS
Head Coach: James Dailey (29th season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 28/12
All-League Returnees: None
Coach James Dailey will turn to several school record holders, including juniors Maggie Ivie and Shaylee Daniels, along with sophomore Isabella Van Ess, to propel the Leopards higher up the League leaderboard this season.
Coach James Dailey on the Leopards: "We are really looking forward to the 2023-24 season. We graduated 12 women last year and have 10 first-years who can contribute right away in quite a few events. We are coming off a year where we broke several school records and placed several performances into the All-Time Top 10. We've made improvements in every event and have started breaking those milestone times and scores that will keep the program heading in the right direction. The addition of a scored C final was paramount for us. There is a lot of excitement to have that second performance and have it matter in the team scores."
LEHIGH MOUNTAIN HAWKS
Head Coach: Rob Herb (20th season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 18/3
All-League Returnees: First Team-Sarah Hardy; Second Team-Mairin Ludwig, Natalie Martin, Julia Stevens, Willa Werwaiss
The Lehigh women finished fifth at the 2023 Patriot League Championship and are poised to compete near the top of the League again this season. Patriot League First-Team honoree Sarah Hardy, who holds school records in the 50-yard butterfly, the 200-yard butterfly, and the 200-yard individual medley, is set to have an impactful senior season for Coach Herb and the Mountain Hawks.
Coach Rob Herb on the Mountain Hawks: "If everyone stays healthy, and they progress, it could be a great year. We're just waiting to see if that will happen. The angle is that some people will be doing different things than they did last year. It's going to be a much more dynamic and fun season for them because there are so many different combinations we are going to try. People will swim different events than last year and hopefully score more points than last year."
LOYOLA MARYLAND GREYHOUNDS
Head Coach: Brian Loeffler (32nd season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 37/5
All-League Returnees: First Team-Lily Mead
Brian Loeffler, who enters his 32nd season as the Greyhounds’ head coach, will return a League-high 37 letterwinners from last year’s squad. After finishing 6th in the League last year, Patriot League First-Teamer Lily Mead looks to lead Loyola and her teammates into the top five.
Coach Brian Loeffler on the Greyhounds: “Anchoring this year’s team will be 3-time 2023 Patriot League champion Lily Mead. We also will return all but one member of the Patriot League Championship team from 2023. As with the men, we have a talented first-year class of women that will make us a better team than we were last season.
NAVY
Head Coach: John Morrison (20th season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 32/9
All-League Returnees: First Team- Gabi Baldwin, Sarah Eldridge, Cameron Horner,
Caroline Irwin, Tiffany Shields, Lauren Walsh (2023 Rookie of the Meet);
Second Team- Riley Gavigan, Maddie Koutavas, Maya Novack, Hannah Pratt, Abbie Sullivan, Catherine Weaverling
The reigning Patriot League Women’s Swim Coach of the Year, John Morrison, will return 32 letterwinners from last season, including 12 All-League honorees. First-Team Honoree and 2023 Patriot League Rookie of the Meet Lauren Walsh looks to follow up her outstanding freshman campaign with a solid sophomore season. The defending Patriot League Champions are loaded with top-tier talent as they begin their quest for a 12th straight League title.
Coach John Morrison on the Midshipmen: "We are very excited about the 2023-24 season. The Class of 2024 has been doing an outstanding job leading the way. Their leadership continues to refine the direction of our underclass. Together, we are all working hard for another great season in the pool and the classroom."
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.