The Carroll University men's and women's swimming and diving teams wrapped up their 2025-26 seasons with three days of competition at the 2026 CCIW Swimming & Diving Championships, held February 13-4 and 18–21 at the RecPlex Aquatic Center in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. Facing one of the deepest fields in the conference's history, the Pioneers produced a strong showing highlighted by finals appearances, key relay performances, and multiple athletes scoring conference points.
On the women's side, Carroll finished fifth overall in the team standings, while the men placed fifth as well, continuing a trend of steady progress at the conference level. Both squads leaned heavily on depth, versatility, and competitive relay efforts throughout the meet.
Women's Championship Recap
Carroll's women produced steady results throughout the meet, scoring consistently in individual events and relays while relying on a mix of experienced swimmers and first-year contributors.
Junior Alexandria Ostopowicz led the Pioneers in the freestyle events, reaching the B-final of the 100-yard freestyle and scoring key points. She also contributed across multiple relays and added points in diving. First-year Natalie Oldenburg turned in one of Carroll's top individual finishes, advancing to the A-final of the 100-yard backstroke and placing seventh overall before adding a scoring swim in the 200 backstroke.
In the distance events, junior Kelly Gordon reached the B-final of the 500-yard freestyle, finishing 12th overall, while sophomore Erin Fixen placed 10th in the 1650 freestyle. Both swimmers added depth and points across multiple events. Fixen also scored in the butterfly races, while Gordon earned a sixth-place finish in the 200-yard butterfly.
Additional scoring came from Carigan Tabor and Skyler Sanderson in the breaststroke events, as well as Grace Nelson and others in the IM races, as Carroll continued to collect points throughout prelims and finals sessions.
Relays were a consistent strength for the Pioneers. Carroll placed sixth in the 200 freestyle relay, fifth in the 400 freestyle relay, and fifth in the 800 freestyle relay, while also finishing sixth in the 200 medley relay and fifth in the 400 medley relay.
In diving, Ostopowicz placed seventh on the 1-meter board, while freshman Nevaeh Clayton finished 10th, giving Carroll additional points in the team standings.
Men's Championship Recap
The Carroll men matched the women with a fifth-place team finish, scoring across a wide range of events and relays.
Sophomore Eli Griggs LeRoux led the Pioneers in the sprint freestyle events, advancing to finals in both the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle. Freshman Jonah Lotegeluaki contributed points in the butterfly events, finishing ninth in the 200-yard butterfly and adding a scoring swim in the 100 fly.
Distance events were led by freshman Mannon Stern, who placed in both the 500-yard freestyle and 1650 freestyle, providing consistent points and anchoring relay efforts throughout the meet.
Carroll's relay teams were among the most reliable point scorers on the men's side. The Pioneers finished sixth in the 200 freestyle relay, sixth in the 400 freestyle relay, and fourth in the 800 freestyle relay, while also placing sixth in both the 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay.
In diving, freshman Dawson Schultz placed ninth on the 1-meter board, adding to Carroll's overall point total.
Season Wrap-Up
Across the championships, Carroll's swimmers and divers delivered consistent performances, scoring in finals, consolation heats, and relays on both sides of the program. The fifth-place finishes reflect a balanced effort, with contributions spread throughout the roster and continued development from underclassmen competing in their first conference championships, and shows a very bright future ahead for the Pioneers.
