Denison University’s Women’s Swim Team Achieves Top-Five Finish at 2025 NCAA Championships
Table of Contents
- 1. Denison University’s Women’s Swim Team Achieves Top-Five Finish at 2025 NCAA Championships
- 2. The Championship Journey
- 3. All-american Performances
- 4. Key Moments from the final Day
- 5. Relay Success and Season Overview
- 6. Looking ahead: The Future of Denison Swimming
- 7. Previous NCAA Championship Highlights
- 8. How do training programs evolve beyond customary methods while maintaining excellence to meet the academic demands specific to Division III institutions?
- 9. Denison University Swimming: Q&A wiht Coach Evelyn Reed
- 10. Recapping an Impressive Performance
- 11. Individual Excellence and Teamwork
- 12. Looking Ahead
In a display of unwavering dedication and athletic prowess, the Denison University women’s swimming and diving team secured a commendable fourth-place finish at the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Greensboro, N.C. This marked their 40th appearance at the prestigious national event and their 33rd time finishing among the top five teams.
The Championship Journey
Denison’s “Big Red” amassed a total of 370.5 points,demonstrating their consistent performance across various events. The North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) was well-represented, wiht Kenyon College finishing third with 438 points.New York University (NYU) took second place with 470 points, while the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) clinched the championship title with 497 points.
The NCAA Division III Championships, while perhaps not as widely publicized as their Division I counterparts, represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement for student-athletes at smaller colleges and universities across the nation. These championships offer a platform for dedicated athletes to showcase their talents, often balancing rigorous academic schedules with demanding training regimens. For many, participation in the NCAA championships is the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and a deep love for their sport.The achievements of teams like Denison University frequently enough foster a strong sense of community and pride within their respective institutions.
All-american Performances
The final day of the competition was particularly impressive for Denison, with the team achieving six All-American performances, five of which were first-team honors. Denison collected 25 All-American finishes throughout the four-day championship, including 13 individual first-team honors, five relay first-team finishes, and eight second-team All-American awards.
“On the final day of competition,the Big Red recorded six All-American performances,five of which were first-team honors,” highlighting the team’s strong finish. This success underscores the rigorous training and dedication of Denison’s athletes and coaching staff.
| Athlete | Event | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Quinn Brown | 1650 Free | 5th Place (16:49.57) |
| Avery vogen | 100 Free | 5th Place (50.56) |
| Grace Kadlecik | 100 Free | Tied for 7th Place (50.90) |
| Caroline Ramirez | 200 Back | 11th Place (2:00.37) |
| Drue Thielking | 200 Breast | 4th Place (2:12.42) |
| Avery Vogen,Grace kadlecik,Phoebe Ferguson,Emily Harris | 400 Free Relay | 4th Place (3:21.17) |
Key Moments from the final Day
The final day saw Denison qualifying for four A final events and one B final. Quinn Brown started strong, finishing fifth in the 1650 Free with a time of 16:49.57 after shaving off four seconds from her preliminary time. Avery Vogen and Grace Kadlecik both secured spots in the A final for the 100 Free, with Vogen finishing fifth in 50.56 seconds and Kadlecik tying for seventh at 50.90 seconds.
Caroline Ramirez, a first-year swimmer, contributed valuable points in the 200 Back, finishing 11th in the B final with a time of 2:00.37. Drue Thielking concluded the individual events by taking fourth place in the A final of the 200 Breast, touching the wall at 2:12.42.
Relay Success and Season Overview
Denison’s performance in the 400 Free relay solidified their fourth-place standing.The team of Avery Vogen, Grace Kadlecik, Phoebe ferguson, and Emily Harris swam a time of 3:21.17, earning 30 crucial points.
The Big Red concluded the regular season with a 4-4 record, maintaining a top-five ranking throughout the year and holding the top spot for three consecutive months. At the 2025 NCAC Championships, they finished as runner-up, achieving 32 All-NCAC finishes. Kerstyn Johnson was recognized as NCAC’s Diver of the Year for the third time, and head diving coach Russ Bertram earned his third consecutive NCAC Diving Coaching Staff of the year award.
Looking ahead: The Future of Denison Swimming
Denison University’s consistent performance at the NCAA Championships reflects a long-standing tradition of excellence in swimming and diving. With a strong core of returning athletes and a dedicated coaching staff, the program is well-positioned for continued success in the years to come. Looking ahead, several factors could influence Denison’s future performance.
Recruiting top talent remains crucial. Division III programs often attract student-athletes who prioritize a balance between academics and athletics. Denison’s academic reputation and strong swimming program make it an attractive destination for prospective students. Continued investment in training facilities and coaching resources will also be essential for maintaining a competitive edge. Moreover, adapting to evolving training techniques and strategies in swimming and diving is vital for sustained success at the national level.
Previous NCAA Championship Highlights
denison’s history at the NCAA Championships includes notable achievements:
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2000-01 | 1st NCAA Championship | 588 Points |
| 2022-23 | 2nd NCAA Championship | 464.5 Points |
How do training programs evolve beyond customary methods while maintaining excellence to meet the academic demands specific to Division III institutions?
Denison University Swimming: Q&A wiht Coach Evelyn Reed
Archyde News: Welcome, Coach Reed! Its a pleasure to have you with us to discuss the Denison University Women’s swim Team’s impressive fourth-place finish at the 2025 NCAA Championships.
Coach Evelyn Reed: Thank you for having me. It’s been an exciting season.
Recapping an Impressive Performance
Archyde News: Fourth place at the NCAA Championships is a significant achievement. Can you walk us through some of the key moments that led to this success?
Coach Evelyn Reed: Absolutely. Our “Big Red” team consistently performed, accumulating 370.5 points. We were especially proud of the final day, with six All-American performances, five of those being first-team honors. Quinn Brown’s fifth-place finish in the 1650 Free was a great start, and Avery Vogen and Grace Kadlecik in the 100 Free were incredibly strong.
Archyde News: The 400 Free relay also seems to have been a pivotal moment.
Coach Evelyn Reed: Yes, the team of Avery Vogen, Grace Kadlecik, Phoebe Ferguson, and Emily Harris secured a crucial fourth-place finish in the 400 Free relay, which solidified our position.
Individual Excellence and Teamwork
Archyde News: We saw several individual standouts. Can you talk about some of the athletes who really shone?
Coach Evelyn reed: Certainly. Avery Vogen showed incredible versatility, and Grace Kadlecik’s resilience was inspiring. Drue Thielking’s fourth-place finish in the 200 Breast was also a highlight. Caroline Ramirez, as a first-year swimmer, performed remarkably well.
Archyde News: This success comes after a strong regular season. How did the team maintain that momentum?
Coach Evelyn Reed: We maintained a top-five national ranking throughout the year, working hard consistently. We finished as runner-up at the NCAC Championships, which set a great tone for us going forward.
Looking Ahead
Archyde News: What are your goals for the Denison University Women’s Swim team in the coming years?
Coach Evelyn Reed: Our goal is always to build on our success. Recruiting top talent and continuing to invest in our training programs are vital. We also plan to explore and incorporate evolving training techniques and strategies. Division III programs often draw student-athletes prioritizing academics and athletics, and we intend to capitalize on Denison’s academic reputation and strong swim program.
Archyde news: What do you believe is the moast significant challenge facing the team as you look towards future championships?
Coach Evelyn Reed: Finding the right balance is frequently enough key. The challenge is consistently maintaining a high level of performance while embracing the unique aspect of Division III athletics, which combines rigorous academic pursuits with serious athletic dedication. Striking this balance is truly critical.
Archyde News: Thank you, Coach Reed, for providing such insightful comments. The community and dedication are so important. Do you have any final thoughts for the fans?
Coach Evelyn Reed: Thank you. To our supporters, your encouragement fuels our Big Red team every day. We are very proud of all our athlete’s journeys and always appreciate their efforts.
Archyde News: Again, congratulations on a fantastic season! This outstanding achievement demonstrates and adds another chapter to Denison University’s sports legacy.
