Swim sails past Behrend to open second half of season
By Mia Gallagher · Sports Editor
The Grove City College men’s and women’s swim teams opened the second half of their 2025-2026 program Saturday with commanding wins for both squads against Penn State Behrend.
This latest win only adds to the accolades already generated by this year’s teams — which includes victories by both at the Wheaton Invitational, the program’s big midseason meet.
Reflecting on the squad’s success before the new year and their diligence in training for the second half of their schedule, junior Owen Hancock claims both squads are encouraged by their performance thus far and look eagerly to their final month of competition.
“In the pool, we learned that our team can be competitive at the national level. This level of success takes the entire team working hard every day and bringing a good attitude to practice,” Hancock said. “It’s challenging to stay motivated when we are home on Christmas break, and some of us have to swim on our own. The success from the first half of the season definitely encouraged us to keep our foot on the gas and not back off over break.”
The men’s performance at Penn State Behrend was headlined by the setting of three pool records and supported by many individual and relay victories.
Senior Caleb Einolf and Hancock combined for individual five wins on the day, and each notched individual pool records in the 100 breaststroke and 50 backstroke, respectively. The pair also joined junior Bryce Pope and senior Nathan Beukema for a victory in the 200-medley relay, during which they set the team’s third pool record of the meet.
Leading the women’s effort was freshman Abigail Vance, who tallied three individual wins in the 100 breast, 200 breast and 200 individual medley to pace the squad. The Wolverines also clinched victories in the 200 medley and 200 free relays.
Further supplementing the Wolverines’ effort was freshman diver Chaeli Keenan, who swept the one-meter and three-meter competitions.
“Now that we are through the hardest part of winter training, our focus has shifted to rest and recovery as we get ready for the PAC Championship in late February. The focus changes from emphasizing training volume to emphasizing training intensity. We are looking to clean up our technique and ability to race well,” Hancock said.
“Out of the pool, our team is looking for new ways to share our faith with the other swimmers/teams in the PAC. This year at PACs there will be a time of prayer and testimonies open to all swimmers,” he said.
The Wolverines will look to continue their dominant 2025-2026 program this weekend at the Carnegie Mellon Western Pa. Invitational. Both squads will travel to Pittsburgh this evening, where the meet is set to start at 6 p.m.
