SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Transylvania University men's and women's swimming and diving continued their strong start to the 2026-27 season Saturday afternoon, earning four dual-meet victories in a tri-meet against Wittenberg University and Wilmington College, hosted by Wittenberg.
The Pioneer women defeated Wittenberg 174-102 and Wilmington 207-65, while the men earned a 187-42 victory over Wittenberg and a 170-54 win over Wilmington.
Head Coach Dave Doolin praised his team's performance in its first road competition of the season.
"The first time we travel is always a bit of a challenge but the team did a great job competing today. I'm really happy with how well the first years handled their first away meet," said Doolin.
The Transylvania women delivered a strong performance across the pool and diving boards, highlighted by multiple individual victories.
First-year Maddie Cunningham led the way with three individual wins, capturing the 200-yard butterfly in 2:33.07, the 100-yard freestyle in 57.40 and the 100-yard butterfly in 1:03.86.
Riley Shaw added victories in both backstroke events, winning the 100-yard backstroke in 1:04.72 and the 200-yard backstroke in 2:23.13.
Emerson Campbell captured first place in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:12.33 and added a runner-up finish in the 50-yard freestyle at 27.15.
On the diving boards, Felice Pappalardo swept both events, winning the one-meter competition with a score of 170.60 and the three-meter event with 166.45. Carley Craig finished second in both competitions, recording scores of 154.15 and 159.10, respectively.
The Pioneers also earned a second-place finish in the 400-yard medley relay as Shaw, Emily Kastner, Cunningham and Campbell combined for a time of 4:26.25.
The Pioneer men turned in several impressive performances, including multiple event victories and a strong showing in the relay competition.
Lukas McIntyre-Quinn captured three individual victories, winning the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:03.59, the 100-yard freestyle in 51.62 and the 200-yard individual medley in 2:07.11.
Hayes Doolin added two individual victories, taking first place in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:58.49 and the 200-yard butterfly in 2:06.06. Doolin also finished second in the 100-yard butterfly at 55.12.
Bryce Highley captured first place in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 23.71 and finished second in the 100-yard backstroke at 57.18.
Carter Knowles earned a victory in the 100-yard butterfly, touching the wall in 54.72, while Braden Shearer claimed first place in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:29.78.
The Pioneers also secured the top three finishes in the 200-yard butterfly, with Doolin leading Knowles (2:10.12) and Shearer (2:14.83).
Cash Doolin recorded first-place finishes in both men's diving events, scoring 181.85 in the one-meter competition and 180.95 in the three-meter event.
Transylvania opened the meet with a victory in the men's 400-yard medley relay as Highley, Kyle Rodgers, Knowles and Eli Shaw combined for a time of 3:50.10.
The Pioneers will look to build on their early-season success following Saturday's sweep, which saw both teams secure victories over Wittenberg and Wilmington in their first road meet of the season.
Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the HCAC. To keep up to date with all of Transylvania Athletics, check out our website at transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.
