The Keydet men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams swept Mount St. Mary’s University with 218-76 and 170-125 victories, respectively, at Goodall Pool Oct. 16, 2026.—Photo courtesy VMI Athletics.
The VMI men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams turned in strong performances at Goodall Pool Oct. 16, 2026, sweeping Mount St. Mary’s in their final dual meet before a 4-week break from competition.
The Keydet men dominated the competition with a 218-76 victory, while the women earned an impressive 170-125 win over the Mountaineers.
“We had a terrific night against The Mount,” said Adam Zaczkowski, VMI swimming and diving head coach. “Our women are really coming into form.”
The VMI women put together a strong team effort to secure the 45-point victory, led by several individual event winners.
Mackenzie Byrne ’28 paced the Keydets with three individual victories, taking first in the 50 freestyle (24.15), 100 freestyle (52.73), and 100 butterfly.
Emerson Cosner ’28 added a victory in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:10.00, while Parker Belle Fogle ’28 earned first place in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.15) and added a runner-up finish in the 200 breaststroke.
Avery Shuping ’29 claimed the top spot in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:21.95, edging Mount St. Mary’s Gina Paczewski by less than a second.
On the diving side, Isabelle Haer ’28 swept both events, winning the 1-meter competition with 224.85 points before adding a victory in the 3-meter event. Aeryn Wickersheim ’30 also contributed valuable points on the boards.
“I was pleased with Parker Belle Fogle and her 100 and 200 breasts,” Zaczkowski said. “Mackenzie Byrne is a talented sprinter and was great in the 50 and 100 free and 100 fly. Emerson Cosner had an inspired 200 fly, and Avery Shuping gutted out a great 500 when we needed it the most.”
Zaczkowski also credited the team’s depth, highlighting Susan Cushman ’29 and Carissa Witte ’29 for earning valuable points throughout the meet.
“Diving was pivotal in extending our lead with good performances by Isabelle Haer and Aeryn Wickersheim,” he added.
The VMI men controlled much of the afternoon, highlighted by multiple individual victories and strong performances across the board.
Jack Mills ’28 captured a victory in the 200 butterfly (1:52.90), while Elijah Tong ’30 earned first place in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:38.15.
Ian Lutz ’29 took the top spot in the 50 freestyle with a time of 20.72, while Sam Calder ’28 followed with a victory in the 100 freestyle (46.21). Joshua Wolf ’28 added a win in the 200 freestyle (1:41.60), and Aubrey Struder ’28 led a VMI sweep of the top three spots in the 1,000 freestyle with a time of 9:50.00.
Austin Reeder ’27 also contributed a first-place finish in the 200 breaststroke, touching the wall in 2:05.18.
On the diving boards, Carter Canastra ’30 captured the 3-meter event with a score of 263.55, while Hudson Weinhagen ’29 earned the top spot in the 1-meter competition.
The Keydets also swept the relay events, winning the 400 medley relay in 3:19.75 and closing the afternoon with a victory in the 400 freestyle relay.
“Our men were ready to go from the start with wins in the 400 medley relay, 1000 free, and 200,” Zaczkowski said. “We kept [Mount St. Mary’s] on the back foot, and they struggled to find footing.”
“Wins in the 50 and 100 free followed by a bruising 500 from Elijah Tong sealed the deal. Our divers swept the full points in 1m and 3m diving. Carter Canastra and Hudson Weinhagen dominated.”
Men: VMI 218, Mount St. Mary’s 76
Women: VMI 170, Mount St. Mary’s 125
Editor's Note: Story courtesy VMI Athletics.
