Elkhart, Ind. — When the Aquinas Swim & Dive teams boarded the bus for the NAIA National Championships, they already knew this season had been special. Records had fallen, expectations had risen, and a roster filled with veteran leadership and emerging young talent had steadily built momentum throughout the year. But by the time the final splash settled at the Elkhart Aquatic Center on Saturday night, the Saints had accomplished something even bigger — delivering the most successful national championship performance in program history.

Across four days of competition against the deepest field the NAIA has ever assembled, Aquinas produced school records, All-American performances, historic relay finishes, and a collection of swims and dives that pushed the Saints to new heights.

When the final scores were tallied, the AQ men finished 11th in the nation out of 43 teams, improving three spots from last year's 14th-place finish while nearly doubling their point total. The Aquinas women finished 15th nationally among 43 teams, highlighted by the first All-America swimming performance in program history.

It was, in every sense, a week that reflected the steady growth of the Saints program under Head Coach Kristy Hepp.

Day 1 — Setting the Tone

The opening day of competition quickly signaled that the Saints were ready to make noise on the national stage.

Aquinas earned points in a national relay for the first time in program history as the men's 200 medley relay of Ian Clapp, Luke Martin, Talon Koppmann, and Titus Smith finished 14th overall.

The women also opened the meet with strong relay performances. The 200 medley relay team of Emersyn Joslin, Elena Cavadas, Amelia Edens, and Hannah Brown placed 15th, while the 800 freestyle relay quartet of Edens, Addie Osborne, Joslin, and Brown finished 16th.

The diving well proved equally productive for the Saints. Evan Bennett delivered the highest individual national finish in program history, finishing runner-up on the 3-meter board, while teammates Cooper Wasson and Troy Borrero added strong performances with seventh- and eighth-place finishes respectively.

By the end of the opening day, Aquinas had already begun building the foundation for a historic week.

Day 2 — Historic Breakthrough

Day two brought another milestone moment for the Saints swimming program.

The women's 200 freestyle relay team of Addie Osborne, Emersyn Joslin, Amelia Edens, and Hannah Brown delivered the first All-America swimming performance in program history, finishing 8th overall and earning a place on the national podium.

Brown also delivered the highest individual swimming finish in program history, placing 12th in the 50 freestyle finals after a strong prelim swim earlier in the day.

On the men's side, the 200 freestyle relay team of Talon Koppmann, Titus Smith, Ian Clapp, and Luke Martin produced a top-10 national finish, placing 10th overall.

Meanwhile, Joslin added another solid performance for the women in the 200 IM prelims, continuing to build momentum for the Saints program.

Day 3 — Records and All-Americans

Friday's competition proved to be one of the biggest days in program history.

Junior captain Titus Smith became the first male swimmer in Aquinas history to score individual points at the national championships, finishing 13th in the 100 backstroke while setting a new school record of 50.14.

The Saints divers continued their dominant week as Bennett, Borrero, and Wasson all earned All-America honors. Bennett again led the trio with a runner-up finish, while Borrero placed 3rd and Wasson finished 8th.

In the pool, the men's 400 medley relay team of Clapp, Martin, Koppmann, and Smith shattered another program record with a time of 3:23.41, finishing 12th overall.

The women's 400 medley relay squad of Joslin, Brown, Edens, and Osborne added another strong showing as well, finishing 15th nationally.

Day 4 — Records and Farewells

The final day of the national championships delivered both emotional moments and more record-breaking performances.

Smith continued his remarkable week by setting another school record, this time in the 200 backstroke, posting a time of 1:51.42 while finishing 16th overall.

Senior Ian Clapp also competed in the 200 backstroke prelims, finishing 18th overall in what marked the final national swim of his Aquinas career.

On the women's side, Hannah Brown narrowly missed the finals of the 100 freestyle, finishing 17th in prelims while setting a new school record of 52.92.

Senior Luke Martin added one final strong swim for the Saints in the 200 breaststroke, finishing 23rd overall with his second-fastest time in the event.

The women closed the meet with the 400 freestyle relay team of Addie Osborne, Emersyn Joslin, Amelia Edens, and Hannah Brown, finishing 13th overall to cap the championship week.

As the final races concluded, the Saints turned their attention to one final moment — celebrating three seniors who helped elevate the program to new heights: Troy Borrero, Ian Clapp, and Luke Martin.

Notes, Records & Notables

Men

• Team finished 11th nationally, improving from 14th place last season.
• Titus Smith became the first male swimmer in program history to score individual points at Nationals.
• Smith set two school records in the 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke.
• The 400 medley relay set a new school record (3:23.41).
• Evan Bennett, Troy Borrero, and Cooper Wasson earned All-America honors in diving.

Women

• Team finished 15th nationally among 43 teams.
• The 200 freestyle relay earned the first swimming All-America honors in program history.
• Hannah Brown recorded the highest individual swimming finish in program history (12th in the 50 freestyle).
• Brown also set a school record in the 100 freestyle (52.92).

Coach's Comments

After four emotional days of competition, Head Coach Kristy Hepp reflected on a week that represented years of dedication and belief in the program.

"I couldn't be more proud of this group," Hepp said. "They competed with courage and trusted the work they've put in all season, and it resulted in our most successful national performance to date. The school records and All-America honors are a direct reflection of their relentless work ethic and the way they support each other as teammates."

"Our national team isn't just made up of great performers — they're some of the best people in our program. They lead the right way, they represent Aquinas with integrity, and they push each other to be better every day. We'll especially miss our graduating seniors Troy, Ian, and Luke, but the legacy they leave behind will keep driving this program forward."

Up Next

While the national championships mark the end of the 2025–26 season, the momentum built by the Aquinas Swim & Dive program is clearly only beginning to build.

With school records falling, All-Americans emerging, and a deep roster returning next season, the future of AQ swimming and diving looks brighter than ever.

And as the Saints pack up the gear bags, celebrate the seniors, and reflect on a historic week in Elkhart, one thing is certain — it's always a great day to make a HUGE splash… and an even greater day to be a Saint.