On Saturday, Oct. 14, the Scots traveled to Gambier, Ohio to commence their season with a unique event: the Kenyon Relays. Unlike other meets, every swimming event was a relay. Nonetheless, the diving events remained individual. Both the men and women had respectable performances, each finishing in fourth place of the five teams competing in the meet.
With the Kenyon Relays as Wooster’s first meet of the year, the Scots were both anxious and excited. This environment helped many of Wooster’s swimmers maximize their potential during the meet. According to Ryan Stokes ’27, who was competing for the first time at the college level, “the energy was high, which helped me swim faster.”
For the men’s team, many swimmers displayed their skills and teamwork. The relay team of Isaac Shaker ’25, Will Laymon ’26, Boston Sullivan ’26 and Max Likins ’25 shined for the Scots, emerging in third place in the 200-yard backstroke relay with a time of 1:41.64. Shaker followed up this strong performance by partnering with Tucker Andrewjeski ’25 and Josh Pearson ’24 for a fifth-place finish in the 3×500-yard freestyle relay.
Meanwhile, Sullivan performed admirably in the 200-yard freestyle relay alongside Callum Glover ’26, Will Laubacher ’26 and Ryan Gross ’25 to place sixth. Andrewjeski and Stokes also paired with Nathan Ferrence ’25 for a notable 11th-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke. Stokes credited the positive relay performances to the team’s chemistry, describing teammates as “very encouraging” and saying that “I love being able to learn from them, especially in competition.”
The women’s team also had several standout performances. First-years were particularly integral to the team’s success in the meet. In the 3×500-yard freestyle relay, the Scots’ team of Kate Peck ’27, Emma Connors ’24 and Emma Humbert ’26 clocked in at 16:48.97, good for fifth place. Tara McGovern ’27 opened her collegiate career by contributing to a seventh-place finish in the 200-yard backstroke relay with Humbert, Maddie Becker ’24 and Hallie Findlan ’25.
Several returning Scots picked up where they left off last season. Becker, Izzy Bellefleur ’25, Mariam Zayour ’25 and Vicky Maumbe ’25 showed off their teamwork with a fifth-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke relay. Additionally, a team of Findlan, Ollie Bream ’25 and Keara Wiley ’26 combined their efforts for a time of 4:56.09 and seventh-place finish.
Wooster’s diving team also opened their season with impressive showings. Leo Doberenz ’26 finished in second place in the three-meter dive, totalling 159.25 points. Doberenz was satisfied with his performance, particularly with “my inward two-and-a-half off the three meter.” Cady Eakins ’25 competed in the one-meter dive, compiling 114.85 points and achieving a seventh-place finish.
Having impressive performances by different members of the team is a positive sign for the upcoming season, but they lack comprehensive team success. As such, the Scots are not becoming complacent. As Stokes put it, “we still have a full season of training to get through and I need to lock in for the coming months.” Hopefully, the Scots will be able to carry over their momentum from the Kenyon Relays to future competitions.
Wooster swim and dive next competes at home against Malone University on Saturday, Oct. 28.