The Youngstown State men's and women's swimming and diving programs kick off the 2025-26 season this Friday inside Beeghly Natatorium against Horizon League foe Oakland University for a two-day dual.

Women's Preview

The Penguins women's swimming and diving squad returns 14 student-athletes from last year's team, while also welcoming 13 newcomers.

Key returning swimmers include Olivia Sweetman, who was a part of the 800-freestyle relay team that won the program's first-ever relay title at the HL Championships, as well as finishing second in the 1650 free and third in the 500 free.

Hanna Held is back for her junior season to lead the diving squad. Held won seven individual events last season and also placed fourth in the three-meter diving event at the conference championships.

The newcomers for this season's team are: Emily Aten, Helen Bernardi, Haley Conklin, Derin Donmez, Nehir Guler, Kate Hildebrand, Owynn Lafollette, Lara Lilic, Orla Maccines, Chloe Moore, Hannah Murray, Jordan Sarubbi, and Ximena Young.

The Penguins women were tied for fourth place with IU Indianapolis in the Under Armour #HLSD Preseason Poll. Oakland was slated first, receiving all seven first-place votes.

Men's Preview

The Penguins men's swimming and diving team returns 19 student-athletes from the 2024-25 team, while adding 10 newcomers.

Key returners include Jacob Gramer, who won nine individual events and set eight new school records during his freshman season. At the Horizon League Championships, Gramer finished runner-up in the 100 fly and also finished third in the 100 free.

Also returning to the pool is James Slessor, who won 11 individual events during his junior season. Slessor finished in the 100 breaststroke and fifth in the 200 breaststroke at the HL Championships in February.

The newcomers for this season's squad are: Adrian Andres Moreno, Jude Carlton, Quinn Cynor, Bed Edwardson, Seif Elbatal, Valer Kennedy, Pablo Santos, Rafael Serey-Cormier, Noah Smith, Trent Wakefield.

The Penguins men were slated fifth in the Under Armour #HLSD Preseason Poll. Oakland was picked first, receiving five of the seven first-place votes.

Meet Lineup

Friday (3:30 PM):

Diving

200 Medley Relay

1650 Free

200 Free

100 Backstroke

100 Breaststroke

200 Butterfly

50 Free

Diving Break

100 Free

200 Backstroke

200 Breaststroke

500 Free

100 Butterfly

Diving Break

200 IM

400 Free Relay

Saturday (10 AM):

Diving

400 Medley Relay

400 IM

200 Free

50 Backstroke

50 Breaststroke

100 Butterfly

50 Free

50 Breaststroke

100 Butterfly

50 Free

Diving Break

100 Free

100 Backstroke

100 Breaststroke

500 Free

50 Butterfly

Diving Break

100 IM

200 Free Relay

Up Next:

The Penguins will be back in action next week when they make the short trip to Akron for the Akron Zips Classic on Oct. 10-11.

For news and updates throughout the 2025-26 season, follow @YSUSwimDive on X.