Men's Swimming & Diving Waves Goodbye to OAC with 9th Straight Championship

2/15/2025 9:54:00 PM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Joe Nadur led the way as the OAC's Most Outstanding Swimmer

AKRON -- One last time, John Carroll Men's Swimming & Diving is perched atop the Ohio Athletic Conference.

The Blue Streaks are the 2025 OAC Champions, marking the ninth consecutive title for John Carroll and 22nd in program history.

And with the last chapter written, John Carroll departs the OAC following a final night at the University of Akron's Ocasek Natatorium.

Day 4 Prelim Results
Day 4 Finals Results
Final Results

"Today was an overall team effort, the whole week was," said Head Coach Mark de Swardt. "I don't think we had one standout swimmer, everyone swam their hearts out. That's evidenced in all of the races we won and B cuts."

Joe Nadur ascended over the course of the meet for John Carroll. A perpetual OAC Champion, Nadur climbed the mountain to become the OAC's Most Outstanding Swimmer for the first time in his career.

"Joe is one of the hardest working kids, one of the most talented, and the nicest you'll ever meet," said de Swardt. "He races hard and can swim any event. He won two events and got second in another, but he could have won multiple other events. He's incredibly talented and hard working."

Following the Senior Day festivities, John Carroll roared for an outstanding effort in the 1650 Free. In the marathon event, Sam Kmet emerged a champion. The Richfield native roared for a time of 15:49.03, good enough for not only a school record in the event, but also a record mark of 9:31.74 in the 1000 Free. Additionally, his mark in the 1650 Free is good enough for an NCAA B cut. Zach Marinis also picked up hardware, dashing to third with a time of 16:23.95.

John Carroll's party marched on in the 100 Free with a wonderful 1-2-3 sweep. Patrick Branch led the charge with a top time of 45.83. Cameron Cook (45.87) and Bryce Liddell (46.00) rounded out the top three for the Blue Streaks, also getting medals.

Bart Kubis' work in the 200 Breaststroke was fun to watch. The Park Ridge, Illinois native fired up a brilliant time of 1:59.60. That mark clinched not just a school record, but an OAC record. And on top of that, his time earns an NCAA B cut. Joe Nadur (2:03.40) and Ian Hofmann (2:04.19) rounded out an impressive top-three finish.

In the 200 Backstroke, David Miller (1:50.55) and Luke Novak (1:51.09) turned in All-OAC marks. Luis Aguilar tallied an All-OAC effort in the 200 Butterfly, clocking in at 1:53.09.

John Carroll rounded things out in the 400 Free Relay, concluding the time in the OAC with a conquest. Cook, Bryce Liddell, Branch, and Daniel Argalious combined for a fast time of 3:00.83. That mark clinches an NCAA B cut for the JCU quartet.

"It was scary coming in as a first-time head coach, especially when you have 50 athletes in the program," said de Swardt. "We've grown together. It's such a great group of kids, we've grown together. They welcomed us in, growing into incredible athletes over the course of the season. They've surpassed the expectations I had.

"It's a great way to end it, with dominant wins on both sides. The school is ready for some more competition. We get that and more in the NCAC, we'll be the underdogs, which will be fun."

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Joe Nadur led the way as the OAC's Most Outstanding Swimmer

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