CCIW women’s swimming & diving teams see strong performances ahead of winter break
The first half of the 2025-26 women’s swimming and diving season in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) has seen progress across its member schools. Teams have competed in a range of dual meets and invitational events, with strong performances noted in relay races, distance swims, sprints, and individual medley competitions.
Augustana College achieved a 3-2 record in dual meets and secured victories over Loras, Monmouth, and St. Ambrose. The team also won the IWU Halloween Invite and finished fifth at the Luther Invitational. The Vikings’ 400-yard medley relay team posted the fastest time in the conference this season at 3:51.31 during the Luther Invitational. Individual swimmers such as Kendle Mihm and Savannah Shapley contributed with wins in freestyle and butterfly events.
Carroll University recorded dual-meet wins against MSOE and Millikin while participating in several other meets, including the Carthage Classic where they placed sixth. Distance swimmer Carigan Tabor collected multiple victories, while teammates Erin Fixen, Kelly Gordon, Clarissa Sharpe, Kendal Richard, Morgan Toupal, and Alexandria Ostopowicz made notable contributions in various strokes and relays.
Carthage College led its first half with a championship win at its own Carthage Classic by scoring 1,215.5 points. Other highlights included a win over Wisconsin-Whitewater and strong showings at invitationals. Brie Skalski stood out with top finishes in freestyle events and individual medleys; Kendall Leistico swept both diving events against Wheaton; additional swimmers contributed to sprint and relay successes.
Illinois Wesleyan University saw success mainly through invitational competitions. The Titans finished second at their home invite before winning the Monmouth Invite and Beloit Midseason Invitational. Natalie Porter led distance efforts with multiple wins; Abby Schnittker excelled in sprint freestyle and butterfly; Kayleigh Kuschewski performed well in medley events; Ellen Hoover earned butterfly victories; Claire Paule contributed to distance freestyle results.
Millikin University earned a dual-meet victory against North Central while competing extensively through the fall schedule. Relay teams were successful against North Central and Monmouth. Freshman Becka Dunakey led individual performances across breaststroke, medley, freestyle sprints, while Audrey Korniak contributed in distance free and butterfly races.
North Central College faced several challenging triangulars and invitationals but saw freshman Abigael Sheldon emerge as an individual leader with multiple event wins throughout the semester. Celina McDaniel added top times in butterfly and medley events; Amelia Minarik posted season-best marks in distance freestyles; Caitlin Suda contributed to backstroke results.
Wheaton College started its season strongly with a win over Illinois Tech at the Chicagoland Triangular before defeating Carthage later on. The Thunder closed out fall competition as runners-up at their own invitational meet. Tess Boyer led Wheaton with multiple event wins across IMs, freestyle, butterfly; Aubrey Swanson won sprint freestyles; Allison Henschel dominated distance frees; Olivia Wiebe won backstroke events; Lydia Hansen took breaststroke honors; Lara Stamp topped diving scores for both boards.
As CCIW programs prepare for January competition resumption leading up to conference championships, teams report balanced depth across event groups.