GAMBIER, Ohio -- Year after year, the Kenyon College men's swimming and diving program lives up to the lofty standards and an impressive tradition of success, one that has spanned more than four decades. Each year, a new Kenyon team hits the water with hopes of continuing that success, while also carving out its own unique niche in program history. That journey, for the 2025-26 Owls team starts Saturday with a meet at the University of Indianapolis and will culminate in March with the national championship meet, also being held in Indianapolis.
2024-25 Review
A young Owls team went through the regular season with a 1-5 dual meet record. In the middle of those meets, the team posted a first-place finish in its annual Total Performance Invitational. When it came time for postseason competition, the Owls scored 1,642 points and placed second among nine teams in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Championship. When the team headed to nationals, it did so with a roster of ten qualifiers, none of whom were seniors. The Kenyon qualifiers wound up scoring 250 points and claiming fifth place at the national meet. That result marked the 48th season, since 1976, that the Kenyon team placed fifth or better in NCAA Championship competition.
Coaching Staff
Head Coach Jess Book enters his 14th season at the helm of the Kenyon men's program. Since the 2012-13 season, he guided his teams to three national championship titles, as well as a combined nine, top-three finishes in NCAA end-of-the-season competition. This season, Book is supported by assistant coach Dani Korman and Kosuke Kojima, as well as diving coach Jason Glorius. It's the second straight season the four have worked together.
2025-26 Preseason Poll
While the official preseason poll for the 2025-26 season has yet to be released, last year's final College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of American (CSCAA) dual meet poll placed Kenyon sixth. The Owls collected 319 points in the final poll. That was 81 points behind Denison University, which topped the final poll with 400 points. Emory University (382) was second and New York University (370) slotted third.
Top returners by individual event
50 Freestyle: Djordje Dragojlovic, 19.61 (All-American -- 3rd place at nationals)
100 Freestyle: Djordje Dragojlovic, 43.14 (All-American -- 3rd place at nationals)
200 Freestyle: Ethan Manske, 1:40.05
500 Freestyle: Teo Jaworski, 4:29.90
1650 Freestyle: Roman Savage, 15:50.29
100 Backstroke: Djordje Dragojlovic, 47.18 (All-American -- 2nd place at nationals)
200 Backstroke: Charlie Green, 1:46.21 (All-American -- 5th place at nationals)
100 Breaststroke: Noel Tumbasz, 54.49
200 Breaststroke: Noel Tumbasz, 1:58.83 (All-American -- 15th place at nationals)
100 Butterfly: Roman Savage, 47.34 (All-American -- 9th place at nationals)
200 Butterfly: Ethan Manske, 1:48.06 (All-American -- 13th place at nationals)
100 Ind. Medley: Noel Tumbasz, 51.32
200 Ind. Medley: Ethan Manske, 1:49.61
400 Ind. Medley: Ethan Manske, 3:48.75 ((All-American -- 7th place at nationals)
One-Meter Diving: James Lackner, 387.05
Three-Meter Diving: James Lackner, 378.90
Schedule Overview
- Season Opener: Saturday, October 4, at the University of Indianapolis
- NCAC Championship: February 11-14 hosted by Denison University
- NCAA Championship: March 18-21 in Indianapolis, Indiana
How to Follow
Fans can follow Kenyon men's swimming and diving throughout the season via the following links:
