2025-26 Austin College Swimming Season Preview

A new era begins for Austin College men's and women's swimming, as head coach Jon Schimming takes the helm heading into the 2025-26 campaign. The first-year head coach will have plenty of returning talent to work with this season, as well as one of the largest rosters in recent history within the 'Roo swim programs.

Last season, the 'Roo men finished fifth and the women took sixth at the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships, and both teams will be looking to move up the rankings in the new year. Schimming's men's team features 17 competitors this year, with a number of men's water polo players bolstering the ranks, while 10 women will take to the pool this year, including sophomore Tatyana Arizmendi, who scored a bronze in the 100 backstroke in her first collegiate season last year.

Along with Arizmendi, Joslyn Dimitri, Lola Barcus-Schafer, Reese Richmond, Izzy Schultze, and Sofia Guzman all return, with Mikayla Arizmendi also back to provide another strong performer for Schimming to lean on this season for both leadership and to set the example in the pool for this year's crop of newcomers. Being welcomed to the fold this year are first-year swimmers Rachel Delk, Lili Clepper, and Sophia Smith, who each have a chance ot make an immediate impact.

On the men's side, the 'Roos feature several talented returners, including Colin Stewart, who found his way to the podium last season in the 200 backstroke with a seventh place finish at the conference championships, as well as Kamil Murugan, who closed out last season with a program record in the 100 freestyle at the SCAC meet. JonAustin Blaine has racked up plenty of first place finishes during his time in Sherman and will once again be a key to Austin College's success, along with Jonah Cowles, Tim Smith, Theodore Rogers, and David Stanford.

Stewart is one of nine members of the 'Roo men's water polo team who will also be competing for Schimming this season, a group that includes Preston Fiala, who made a big impact in his first season with the swim team last year, as well as Jack Stack, who is likewise no stranger to 'Roo swimming, having competed in the past. Also in the mix this year are Joshua Nelms, Matthew Leeworthy, and Carlos Camarena, as well as first-year dual sport athletes Flyn Hughes, Owen Altermatt, and Hudson Reavers-Seale. Rounding out the team this season are two more newcomers in junior Will Thomas and sophomore Jonathan Delarosa.

Austin College takes to the pool on October 11 to open up the season, with both the men and women hosting the University of the Ozarks in Hannah Natatorium at 10:00 a.m.