2024-25 Austin College Swimming Season Preview

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College men's and women's swim teams begin the Lauren Olivier era with the program, as the former 'Roo swimmer and record holder takes over as the head coach of both programs in 2024-25. Austin College will be forced to replace All-American Sammi Thiele, but the 'Roos have deep and talented rosters on both sides heading into the new year.

Leading the way on the men's side will be Alex Lai, who enters his senior season as the program's most experienced swimmer and will bring leadership along with his talent in the pool. Lai had multiple top eight finishes at the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship Meet last year, including a fourth place finish in the 400 medley relay, where he teamed with fellow returners JonAustin Blaine, Kamil Murugan, and Tyler McDermott in the event. Tim Smith also returns after a strong sophomore campaign in which he finished eighth in the 1650 freestyle at the SCAC Championships.

David Stanford and Jonah Cowles are also back to bolster the men's roster and add experience, while the 'Roos welcome in first-year swimmer Theo Rogers, and get an influx of speed and talent from the Austin College men's water polo team. Among those competing this year as dual-sport athletes are Jack Stack, Anthony Sury, Charlie Howe, Joshua Nelms, Colin Stewart, Preston Fiala, and Greyson Gaworecki. With the addition of its eight new members, the 'Roos head into the season boasting one of the program's largest rosters in several years.

Like the men, the 'Roo women's team also returns plenty of talent, led by juniors Cassidee Levine, Lola Barcus-Schafer, and Reese Richmond, while sophomore Izzy Schultze also returns following a strong first year in the program. Levine had a number of outstanding performances at last season's conference meet, including teaming with Schultze, Barcus-Schafer, and the now-graduated Thiele to place sixth in the 400 medley relay, finishing with a time of 4:22.12.

Sophomore Marian Stanley joins the 'Roos this season, and first-year swimmer Tatyana Arizmendi will also be looking to make an immediate impact, as will Jordan Johnston and Addysen Norbeck. They'll be joined by Tatyana's sister Mikayla, a dual-sport athlete who is also competing as a member of the women's water polo team. She won't be the only women's water polo player to join the squad this year, either, as Olivier - a former All-American in women's water polo herself - will be welcoming in several players from that roster to add depth and plenty of speed in the water. Among those newcomers to the swim program are Joslyn Dimitri, Sofia Guzman, and Lexy Hulse. 

Austin College gets into the pool to compete for the first time this season on Saturday, as the 'Roos head to Clarksville, Ark., to take on the University of the Ozarks and Hendrix College at 1:00 p.m. on the campus of Ozarks.