Grinnell College swim and dive teams sweep conference championships

Grinnell’s swim and dive teams conquered the 2026 Midwest Conference Championships, capturing both the women’s and men’s titles. The team’s win was marked by record-breaking swims and relay dominance across nearly every event.

The meet took place over four days at Grinnell’s Russell K. Osgood Pool. “It was definitely different this year,” said Head Coach Matthew Hedman. “It just heightened the level of competition. It was really cool to see our team step up to that level and really show out.”

Swimmer Evan Ingraham `29 faced a particularly slippery start on the block. Despite the rough beginning, Ingraham quickly bounced back and qualified for nationals by setting a new record in the 200-fly. “He definitely did not get off to a really great start,” said Hedman. “Then he went the number 10 time in the country. It was cool to see him get over that and have an amazing performance.”

Hedman said that Ingraham’s comeback reflected a broader team mindset. “We have a five-minute rule,” Hedman said. “You have five minutes to get over a disappointment and five minutes to celebrate something. I thought we executed our five-minute rule really well this weekend.”

Daniel Yoo `29 prepares to dive into the pool for the 200-meter fly at the 2026 Midwest Conference Swim Meet at the Russell K. Osgood Natatorium on Sunday, Feb. 22. (Meilynn Smith)

The men’s 200-meter medley relay squad came in with a time of 1:29.16, setting a school record with a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) B qualifying time, meaning that the team reached the benchmark needed for possible nationals selection.

The Pioneers claimed multiple relay victories, setting new bests throughout the meet. “All our relays were really good. We set school records, conference pool records, meet records — pretty much four of the five relays,” Hedman said. While Grinnell dominated much of the championship, Hedman admitted that watching the clock was still nerve-wracking, especially during the 400-free relay, where the Pioneers qualified by just 0.02 seconds. 

Individually, several swimmers turned in headline-worthy performances in the sprint event. The meet and conference record for the 50 free — considered one of the fastest races in the meet — was broken by Spencer Pfaff `29 with a time of 20.17 in prelims before leading a Pioneer sweep in the finals. On the women’s side, Sophie Juethner `26 claimed the 50 free title in one of the weekend’s closest races. 

Evan Feilmeyer `28 added to the historic weekend by breaking a meet record in the men’s 500-meter free that hasn’t been touched since 2013, adding yet another win to the championship run.

Nina Lyons `29, center, laps her opponents in the 1650-meter freestyle at the 2026 Midwest Conference Swim Meet at the Russell K. Osgood Natatorium on Sunday, Feb. 22. (Meilynn Smith)

Simone Bennett `29 delivered a breakthrough swim in the 100 backstroke, setting a new school record and a personal best. “She dropped a second and a half from her best time, which is a lot in a 100,” Hedman said.

Senior leadership also played a key role. Greta Dunn `26 came in with her fastest 50 freestyle time since high school, and contributed a strong relay in the 200-meter free as well. 

The Pioneer’s success extended to diving, as well, with Alex Kruse `29 capturing the women’s 3-meter title with a regional qualifying score of 450.00.

According to Hedman, the sweep represented far more than medals and records. “We’ve won ten in a row on the men’s side and five in a row on the women’s side,” he said. “Our standard is winning. But it’s not guaranteed. It takes every single person contributing.”

The championship reflects the program’s national growth, as well. In Hedman’s first year, the team recorded zero NCAA B cuts. This season, the Pioneers posted 12.

With NCAA regionals and potential national qualifications just around the corner, Hedman said he is confident that the Pioneers are not slowing down anytime soon. “I think we’re on the right track to continue and improve on the national level l… [and] maintaining our dominance at the Midwest conference level as well,” Hedman said.