Pioneer women's swimming and diving team chases more success in 2026-27 season

GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's women's swimming and diving team dominated the field at last season's Midwest Conference Championships, and the Pioneers are looking to add to that title string in 2027.

"This is probably the deepest team we've had since I've been here," said Grinnell coach Matt Hedman, whose team won its fifth consecutive MWC crown last winter. "It's exciting to see how everyone pushes each other in practice, which will help us as the season progresses. We should be very strong on the conference level and hopefully we'll win another title. We'd also like to get multiple people to nationals."

Grinnell scored 1067 points at last season's league meet to beat runner-up St. Norbert College by nearly 300.

Here is a look at the 2026-27 squad:

Sprint Freestyle:

"This is a pretty young group, but there is a lot of potential," said Hedman. "It's exciting to seeing all the energy from both the older swimmers and newcomers. Tory Morse '29, Samantha Cook '27 and Ava Rodriguez '27 have been leading the team, with some great younger talent including Cassey Koch '30, Payton Morris '30 and Lisa Katsuta '30."

Morse finished third in the 100 free at last season's MWC meet and fourth in the 100. Cook ranks third in GC history in the 200 free.

Distance Freestyle:

"Nina Lyons '29 and Kate Callender '30 are looking very strong," said Hedman. "Maya Comer '28 has transitioned more to distance events, Natasha Zettler '27 and Zeb O'Hara '28 who is abroad but will contribute. We should be very strong in the conference in these events."

Lyons is the defending league champ in the 1650 free and placed fourth in the 500. Comer was second in the 500 and and O'Hara runner-up in the 1650. Lyons ranks third in GC history in the 1650.

Backstroke:

"Simone Bennett is the school-record holder in the 100 backstroke and won the conference title," said Hedman. "Molly Ryan '27 will also be a strong competitor in both events. Maria Restrepo '29 has shown a lot of improvement and Olivia Terry '28 and Clare Clarkson '29 will contribute, too."

Bennett placed second at the league meet in the 200 back, while Ryan was fourth while also taking fifth in the 100. Bennett ranks second in GC history in the 200 back and Ryan is fourth and fifth in the 100 and 200, respectively.

Breaststroke:

"Two first-years, Cassey Koch and Sarah Schueler '30, are coming in with very strong times and will make an impact," said Hedman. "Tory Morse and Joely Kam '28 will also contribute and captain Ava Rodriguez has been a strong leader."

Kam, runner-up at the MWC meet in the 200 and third in the 100, ranks fourth in GC history in the former event. Morse finished second in the 100 at conference.

Butterfly:

"It's definitely a big loss with the graduation of Sarah Lopez," said Hedman. "Lisa Katsuta will make a big impact, and Maria Restrepo will contribute in both the 100 and 200. Captain Natasha Zettler '27 is looking strong, too."

Restrepo placed fourth at the MWC meet in the 200 fly.

Individual Medley:

"We have a variety of people who will swim this," said Hedman. "Meet to meet, we'll mix it up and see what will help maximize our performance. It's a very well-rounded and talented group."

Vivian Woare '28 is the top returnee in the IM after placing second in the 400.

Diving:

"We have four divers this year, led by national qualifier Alex Kruse '29," said Hedman. "We're looking for another strong year from her. We also have Norah Nicol '30, who was a state place winner at Grinnell High School. Ann Maisuradze '27 also returns and we have another first-year in Clare Reif '30."

Kruse, who was the MWC Outstanding Diver after winning at both 1- and 3-meter, ranks second in GC history in the 1-meter and third in the 3-meter.

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