VMI swimming and diving honored Lane Jones ’26, Hayden Rose ’26, Tee Bowles ’26, Hampton Wohlford ’26, Noelle Tong ’26, and Valerie Tonnu ’26 on Senior Day before competing against Washington and Lee at the VMI Aquatic Center Jan. 23, 2026.—Photo courtesy VMI Athletics.
VMI swimming and diving celebrated Senior Day, highlighted by a dominant win from the men’s team and a hard-fought loss by the women against Washington and Lee, at Goodall Pool in VMI’s Aquatic Center Jan. 23, 2026.
VMI honored six 1st Class cadets for Senior Day: Lane Jones ’26, Hayden Rose ’26, Tee Bowles ’26, Hampton Wohlford ’26, Noelle Tong ’26, and Valerie Tonnu ’26.
VMI men’s swimming and diving earned their third-straight victory after defeating Washington and Lee.
The Keydets once again cruised past the Generals, this time with a 182-80 final. VMI dominated throughout the meet, finishing in first place in all but one event. With a 4-3 record, the men have claimed a winning season for the second straight year.
Caleb Wolf ’28 kicked off VMI’s winning streak in the 1,000 free (9:53.93) and again in the 500 free (4:45.71) later in the night. His twin brother, Joshua Wolf ’28, continued the stretch in the 200 free (1:42.72) and 200 back (1:56.45).
Continuing the winning streak for the Keydets was Sam Castle ’27 in the 100 back (52.26) and Layne Tucker ’27 in the 100 (57.19) and 200 (2:09.17) breast. Jack Mills ’28 followed up with blazing times in the 200 fly (1:52.69), 100 fly (51.01), and 100 free (46.39) for a trio of wins.
Ian Lutz ’29 scorched the field in the 50 free (21.04) to keep the streak alive. Kayleb Eldridge ’28 turned on the burners in the last leg of the 200 IM to score first place (2:01.67).
Closing out the night was the 200 free relay team with Lutz, Mills, Castle, and Matthew Picard ’27, who finished off the meet with gold (1:23.40).
Despite the points not going toward the team score, the Keydet divers took advantage of the extra practice ahead of the America East Championships in late February. Jones, who was honored before the start of the meet, scored the most points among his Keydet competitors in the 1-meter (292.58) and 2-meter (272.70).
VMI women’s swimming and diving dropped its final home meet of the season at the hands of Washington and Lee.
The Keydets ended their home slate with a 186-73 loss to the Generals.
VMI had a couple of first-place finishes from Lacy Delzell ’29, the first being in the 200 free (1:58.70) and the second in the 200 back (2:11.92). Mackenzie Byrne ’28 also scored gold in the 50 free (24.81).
Tong tallied a pair of second-place marks in her final collegiate home meet, scoring points in the 100 back (1:00.70) and 100 free (54.60).
Both relay squads claimed second place, including the 200 medley relay team with Tong, Byrne, Parker Belle Fogle ’28, and Emerson Cosner ’28 (1:50.98), along with the 200 free relay team with Byrne, Tong, Delzell, and Cosner (1:41.18).
Despite the points not counting toward the team score, the Keydet divers took advantage of extra practice ahead of the America East Championships in late February. Isabelle Haer ’28 continued to produce big scores, earning 256.65 points in the 3-meter and 251.48 in the 1-meter to lead VMI.
Editor’s Note: These articles were first published on vmikeydets.com.
