With multiple victories and program records, VMI men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams delivered a dominant showing at Goodall Pool Oct. 10, 2026.—Photo courtesy VMI Athletics.
The VMI men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams delivered a dominant showing at Goodall Pool Oct. 10, 2026, recording numerous event victories, personal bests, and program records against Hampden-Sydney, Hollins, and Sweet Briar.
The Keydets controlled the competition from the opening events, highlighted by record-breaking performances on the diving boards and impressive efforts from both veterans and newcomers.
“Total team effort today,” said Adam Zaczkowski, VMI swimming and diving head coach. “Both men and women dominated from the opening whistle. We had a tough week of practice, but the team shook off the soreness and fatigue and showed up in a big way.”
The VMI women were paced by a strong 2nd Class team, with Isabelle Haer ’28, Mackenzie Byrne ’28, and Emerson Cosner ’28 leading the charge.
Byrne claimed victories in the 50 freestyle (24.40) and 100 freestyle (54.09), while Cosner swept the butterfly events, winning the 100 fly in 59.80 and the 50 fly in 26.94.
Haer dominated the springboard diving events, taking first in both the 1-meter (243.52) and 3-meter (269.92) competitions.
Lacy Delzell ’29 earned a victory in the 100 individual medley (1:01.98), while Valeria Paulson ’29 swept the backstroke events, winning the 50 back (27.82) and 100 back (59.73).
Aeryn Wickersheim ’30, diver, delivered one of the afternoon’s biggest highlights, setting school, rat, and pool records in platform diving with a score of 166.20.
The women’s 200 medley relay team of Paulson, Maddie Wolfe ’29, Cosner, and Byrne also opened the meet with a first-place finish in 1:51.54.
On the men’s side, Jack Mills ’28 highlighted the distance events with a lifetime-best performance of 4:42.29 to win the 500 freestyle. Elijah Tong ’30 impressed in the 400 individual medley, clocking a 4:03.53.
Carson King ’30 delivered a strong performance in the 100 butterfly, taking first in 51.89.
Billy Grau ’30 earned three individual victories, sweeping the 50 breaststroke (25.83), 100 freestyle (47.58), and 100 breaststroke (1:00.08).
Joshua Wolf ’28 added victories in the 200 freestyle (1:44.31) and 50 butterfly (23.31), while Sam Calder ’28 claimed the 50 freestyle in 21.24. Ian Lutz turned in a conference-leading 20.62 opening split in the 200 freestyle relay, providing another highlight for the Keydets.
The diving events also produced multiple milestones. Ryder Creal ’27 established new school and pool records in platform diving with a score of 187.35, while Carter Canastra ’30 set a rat record in the 1-meter competition with a score of 270.30. Canastra also claimed the 3-meter title with a score of 270.25.
“Junior Jack Mills had a lifetime best in the 500, while freshman Elijah Tong was excellent in the 400 IM,” Zaczkowski said. “I was pleasantly surprised by freshman Carson King in the 100 Fly. Ian Lutz had a conference-leading 50 Free opening split in the 200 Free Relay.”
Editor's Note: Story courtesy VMI Athletics.
