BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The 2025-26 Patriot League women’s swimming and diving season opens this weekend, with the League’s 10 programs competing by early October.
Defending Patriot League champion Navy seeks its 14th consecutive title as the Mids return ten All-League honorees, including 2025 Women’s Diver of the Meet Mackenzie Kim and three-time first-teamer Sarah Eldridge.
Army West Point, which finished as the runner-up for the third straight year at last season’s Patriot League Championship, returns several All-League honorees, including first-teamers Catriona Gilmore, Angie McKane and Molly Webber.
The 2025-26 Patriot League Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship is set to take place on Wednesday, February 18, through Saturday, February 21, at the United States Naval Academy’s Lejeune Hall in Annapolis, Md.
AMERICAN EAGLES
Head Coach: Garland Bartlett (5th season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 23/6
All-League Returnees: None
Despite the departure of Mimi Watts, the 2025 Patriot League’s Women’s Highest Point Scorer, American continues to build momentum under fifth-year head coach Garland Bartlett. Sophomores Piper Crosby and Marian Priddy will lead the Eagles into the season, which begins this weekend with the Potomac Relay Invitational at Reeves Aquatic Center.
Coach Garland Bartlett on the Eagles: “It will be the first season in five years without the program’s top scorer and Patriot League High Point Scorer, Mimi Watts. However, Watts has laid a strong foundation for the women’s team and the returners are ready to step up and keep the upward momentum going that we have had the past few seasons. If the past few weeks of training indicate what is to come for this season, it’s going to be a very successful one, for sure!”
ARMY WEST POINT BLACK KNIGHTS
Head Coach: Brandt Nigro (7th season)
Letterwinners returning: 21
All-League Returnees: First Team- Catriona Gilmore, Angie McKane, Molly Webber; Second Team- Jenna Hart, Kira MacMullan
Under the direction of seventh-year head coach Brandt Nigro, Army West Point is looking to capture its first title since 1991 after posting seven runner-up finishes dating back to 2016. The Black Knights will lean on five All-League returners, including Catriona Gilmore, Angie McKane, Molly Webber, Jenna Hart and Kira MacMullan.
Coach Brandt Nigro on the Black Knights: "We are coming off historic seasons for both our men’s and women’s teams. However, our team is as hungry and determined as ever. As much as we have accomplished in the past few years there is still so much we have left to do. We have strong leadership and experience in our Firstie class. We return a lot of talent and depth in our Cow and Yuk classes. And, we are excited to welcome a large and well-rounded plebe class. Our challenge will be to stay focused on ourselves and to get better each day. Not giving in to the expectations or losing sight of the big picture. This will be a long season and our main goals don’t come until February and March.”
BOSTON UNIVERSITY TERRIERS
Head Coach: James Sica (3rd season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 13/8
All-League Returnees: First Team- Haley Newman; Second Team- Izzy Valantiejus
Entering his third season as head coach, James Sica looks to guide Boston University to another top-five finish at this year’s Patriot League Championships, with All-Patriot League honorees Haley Newman and Izzy Valantiejus leading the way for the Terriers.
Coach James Sica on the Terriers: “This is going to be an awesome season for BU women's swimming and diving. Our first-year class of seven swimmers and three divers is the largest of any class on our women's team, and they have added a lot of energy and excitement to our program already. The sophomores, juniors and seniors on our team have done a great job welcoming our first-years and supporting them as they adjust to life in Boston and at BU. We have been having so much fun at practice, and it is inspiring seeing the great work our team is doing in the pool, in the classroom and within the BU community. I am looking forward to a great 2025-26 season!”
BUCKNELL BISON
Head Coach: Dan Schinnerer (20th season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 21/10
All-League Returnees: First Team- Sara Ketron, Clara Renner
Dan Schinnerer enters his 20th season as head coach of Bucknell’s women’s swimming and diving program and will turn to First Team All-Patriot League honorees Sara Ketron and Clara Renner to help lead the Bison to another successful season. Renner, who recorded 88 points at last year’s Patriot League Championships, will look to defend her title in the 400 individual medley.
Coach Dan Schinnerer on the Bison: “We saw our team make some good steps forward last season and we believe we have the ability to get even better this year. We have a strong core of returners and a large and talented incoming class to help both with frontline and depth in events. It should be an exciting year.”
COLGATE RAIDERS
Head Coach: Ed Pretre (7th season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 23/7
All-League Returnees: Second Team- Audrey Collins, MG King
Ed Pretre, the 2025 Patriot League Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year, looks for Colgate to take another leap this season as he welcomes back 23 letterwinners and a talented first-year class. Second Team All-Patriot League honorees Audrey Collins and MG King will lead the Raiders into the 2025-26 campaign.
Coach Ed Pretre on the Raiders: “I believe our women are poised to make another big jump this year,” Pretre said. “Our divers are more experienced, and our first-year class is probably one of the most versatile groups of athletes I’ve coached in a long time. We can put them in just about any event, and they’re going to be effective.”
HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS
Head Coach: Kristy Jones (4th season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 21/6
All-League Returnees: None
Fourth-year head coach Kristy Jones returns a strong core of swimmers and divers for the 2025-26 campaign, including five student-athletes who recorded top-16 finishes at last year’s Patriot League Championships: Devin Brindle, Lily Michell, Megan Nelson, Brenna Short and Nora Smillie.
Coach Kristy Jones on the Crusaders: “With a great core group of our returning women's swimmers and divers and especially the tremendous leadership of our senior class, we have high expectations for this year. We are focused on building on the successes of last season, continuing to grow as a team, and competing at the highest level.”
LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS
Head Coach: James Dailey (31st season)
Letterwinners retuning/lost: 34/13
All-League Returnees: None
Entering his 31st season as head coach of Lafayette, James Dailey is looking forward to a mix of experienced student-athletes alongside a talented incoming class. The Leopards will lean on top returners Abby Bebel, Sara Fente-Damers, Mia Guster, Katie Hensell, Natalie Johnson, Mia Mee, Sarah Newman, Meghan Robinson, Caroline Schenck and Isabella Van Ess heading into the 2025-26 season.
Coach James Dailey on the Leopards: “We are very excited for the 2025-26 season. We have several 2025 Patriot League scorers returning, who produced six school records and had one NCAA Zone A Diving Championships qualifier. When you add in our incoming first-year class of 16 swimmers and divers who are very talented, the '25-'26 season will be one to remember. We have the leadership, motivation, and momentum from last year to inspire us to greatness this year.”
LEHIGH MOUNTAIN HAWKS
Head Coach: Rob Herb (22nd season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 9/5
All-League Returnees: First Team- Mairin Ludwig
Under 22nd-year head coach Rob Herb, Lehigh returns nine letterwinners from last year’s squad that finished sixth at the 2025 Patriot League Championship, led by first-team honoree Mairin Ludwig, who recorded top-eight finishes in the 200-yard, 500-yard and 1,650-yard freestyle events.
Coach Rob Herb on the Mountain Hawks: “We are looking forward to an amazing season. Our last two recruited classes, coupled with the upper-class talent, will make for a super competitive season. We will see not only top performances, but a significant contribution from our depth. This group is consistent, committed, connected, caring, and most of all, competitive.”
LOYOLA MARYLAND GREYHOUNDS
Head Coach: Brian Loeffler (34th season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 25/17
All-League Returnees: Second Team- Riley Fried
Coming off their best finish in program history at the Patriot League Championships, Loyola Maryland looks to take another step forward under 34th-year head coach Brian Loeffler. The Greyhounds return 25 letterwinners, including All-Patriot League Second Team selection Riley Fried along with top performers Haley Robinson and Michela Schultz.
Coach Brian Loeffler on the Greyhounds: “Our women finished a best-ever fourth place last season at the Patriot League Championships. Our goal is to match or beat that finish this season. We have a talented group of new team members that will be called upon to replace a very talented group of seniors who graduated last year.”
NAVY
Head Coach: John Morrison (22nd season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: 27/9
All-League Returnees: First Team- Elsie Delacruz (2025), Sarah Eldridge (2023-25), Ela Habjan (2024), Mackenzie Kim (2025), Lauren Walsh (2023); Second Team- Samantha Clifford (2025), Ela Habjan (2025), Mackenzie Kim (2024), Maddie Koutavas (2023, 2025), Erin Miller (2025), Marin Rose (2025), Brynn Stoneburg (2025), Lauren Walks (2025)
Led by 22nd-year head coach John Morrison, Navy looks to capture its 14th consecutive Patriot League title as the Mids return 27 letterwinners from a season ago. Ten All-League honorees are back, including 2025 Women’s Diver of the Meet Mackenzie Kim and three-time first-teamer Sarah Eldridge.
Coach John Morrison on the Midshipmen: “We are looking forward to our 2025-26 campaign. We have a great group of freshmen and our upper class have worked diligently to bring them into the fold. The entire team is working hard to recapture the championship points that graduated in the 2025 class. The Patriot League continues to become more competitive every year; and our goal remains the same, to compete with the best in our league. We are cautiously confident that we can do just that.”
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 who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.