Will dynasties extend or be halted during the 2025-26 MIAA swimming season

by Nelson Coffin

After McDonogh has claimed six of the last seven titles, this could be the season that the Loyola Blakefield-McDonogh stranglehold on the A Conference ends with upstart Gilman on target for another banner year in the pool this winter. 

Meanwhile, Severn has no intentions of giving up its hard-earned grip on the B Conference, although the Admirals still have a long way to go to match St. Mary’s record five-year reign from 2015-2019.

A CONFERENCE

Two-time defending champion McDonogh, winners of six of the last seven conference crowns, might have to take a back seat to archrival Gilman this winter.

“We've had heavy graduation losses the last two years, so we are counting on our returning varsity swimmers and some of last year's JV swimmers to improve and fill in those losses,” coach Scott Ward said. 

Seniors Bofeng Shu (freestyle/backstroke) and Jack Mislow (sprint free/back), juniors Maxwell Jackson (sprint free) and Riley Poier distance free/butterfly), and sophomore Justin Shi  (200 individual medley/distance free) stand out for a team captained by seniors Stanley Kabenge and Cooper Chasm. 

"It's great to see several teams being competitive which makes the conference meet so exciting the last few years,” Ward said.

Loyola Blakefield, coming off a third-place finish at Jesuit Classic at Georgetown Prep where junior Spencer Belbot claimed an individual title and senior Liam McQuaid was a top finisher, boast “a well-rounded young group of swimmers that are forming a team — versus individual swimmers.

“It is exciting to see the guys becoming a real team, working together cheering each other on, and forming bonds and brotherhood which is at the heart of our Jesuit Identity,” coach Gordon Amato said.

Belbot’s and McQuaid excel in distance free with the former also a top-notch breaststroker and the latter a backstroker of prominence.

Look for freshman Matt Dyer to also make his presence felt in the distance and backstroke events while junior sprint freestyler Charlie Will makes waves despite not being a year-round swimmer.

Gilman will attempt to continue its resurgence despite the loss of some prolific seniors to graduation, relying on the current senior class to fill some big shoes this winter.

To that end, seniors Cooper Walters (butterfly/sprint freestyle), Myles Koff (free/breaststroke/fly), Bogdan Mytsak (back/sprint free), Oscar Spotte (free/back), Barret Emerson (back/sprint free) and Matthew Lind (fly/distance free) will be front and center for the Greyhounds.

Juniors Holden Herman (free) and .Vincent Wu (sprint free/breast) will also help out with sophomores Charlie Dieveney (individual medley/free/breast) and Kyan Siri (IM/fly/free) and freshman Bryce Heo (free/fly) chipping in.

Coach Vaughn Smith said that he is also “looking for some of our water polo players to add some depth, and score at champs.”

Archbishop Spalding is another team on an upward trajectory, one which hopes to improve on both the dual-meet and championship-meet level. 

“We have a senior-heavy team, so we are gearing up to send our seniors swimming as fast as we can,” coach Chip Helferstay said. “We plan on many program records to fall and hope to improve on our fifth-place showing at MIAAs. After two meets we are already loading up with personal bests, so we are starting out fast.”

Captains Cody Winn (fly/breast), Carter Williams( free/back), Eli Zapata (sprint free) and Tim Williams (free) join fellow seniors Will Rosenthal (free/fly/back) and Davis Stanley (free/fly) as key leaders.

Juniors Aubrey Henderson (fly/back) and Cole Lewis (distance free), sophomores Cooper Lewis (distance free), Collin Hutzell (sprint free) and Foster Linehan (IM,/distance free) and freshmen Liam Cunningham (IM/ breast) and Micheal Villareal (sprint free/breast) will add to the Cavaliers’ cause.

Mount St. Joseph will have just enough swimmers on each squad to get three relays in each meet, according to coach Patrick Underwood.

"We have a core of seniors who train with us at CCBC and lead the team at competitions well," he said. "We have another core of year-round club swimmers who will lead the way in the water and score the majority of points."

Aidan Noordhorn, Leo Czaja, Jack Wiggins and Evan Alliger are the top club swimmers, supporting seniors Joe Szczesniakowski and Joe Taegel.

Junior Luke Cornwell is the Gaels' top sprinter.

"We look forward to the boys working hard, racing well and having their best performances at MIAA Champs," Underwood added.

B CONFERENCE

Severn’s ability to extend its dominant two-tenure atop the B Conference will be fueled by a strong roster of 24 dedicated athletes, according to coach Erin Domenech.

"This group is hungry, focused, and ready to build on what they've accomplished,” she said. “They push each other every day'"

The roster features a mix of returning upperclassmen and promising underclassmen eager to make an impact.

Seniors Court Barrett (back) and Cal Olenec (fly), juniors Rhett Walker (200 free) and Reid Gonzalez (breast), sophomores Nate Michalski (50 free) and Gavin Monaldo (SO0 free) and freshman Grey Cregan (100 free) will lead the way for the Admirals.

Severn is off to a 2-0 start after downing Indian Creek and John Carroll to open the season.

Note: This season preview article may be updated as additional responses come in from coaches.