Midland, Texas – The Trinity University women's swimming and diving team will open its 2026–27 season on Saturday, October 24, traveling to Midland, Texas, to face the University of Texas Permian Basin. The meet is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at COM Aquatics.
 
The Tigers enter the new season following a successful 2025–26 campaign that saw them capture their first Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Championship. Trinity finished the conference meet with 984 points, securing the title by a 230-point margin over Centre College. With several conference champions and NCAA qualifiers returning, the Tigers will look to build on last season's success.
 
Leading the returning swimmers is senior Amy Benson (Newmarket, New Hampshire / Philips Exeter Academy), who captured six SAA titles last season, including individual victories in the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle. Benson also competed at the NCAA Division III Championships and returns as one of Trinity's most experienced swimmers.
 
Sophomores Ava Easley (Allen, Texas / Lovejoy) and Kaya Alvegaard-Struble (Kansas City, Missouri / Pembroke Hill) also return after competing at the national level during their freshman seasons. Easley earned three conference relay titles and All-SAA recognition in the 100-yard backstroke, while Alvegaard-Struble finished as the conference runner-up in the 200-yard backstroke. Both will look to continue contributing to Trinity's success in individual and relay events.
 
On the diving side, sophomore Juliet Hood (Wexford, Pennsylvania) returns following an impressive freshman campaign in which she earned SAA Diver of the Meet honors. Her return provides Trinity with an experienced competitor on the boards as the Tigers begin their conference title defense.
 
Alongside its returning talent, Trinity welcomes several newcomers who will look to make an impact during their first collegiate season. Freshman Macy Williams (Humble, Texas / Summer Creek) joins the Tigers in the butterfly and backstroke events, adding depth to the team's lineup. On the diving side, freshmen Weslie Caton (Manvel, Texas / Marvel) and Lauren Edenburn (New Braunfels, Texas / Canyon) join a returning group led by Hood, creating additional competition on the boards as the Tigers look to defend their conference title.
 
The Trinity men return to competition after a successful 2025–26 season that included a Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Championship and a 23rd-place finish at the NCAA Division III Championships. With several returning conference champions and national qualifiers, the Tigers will look to carry that success into the new season.
 
Junior Luke Fender (Jackson, Mississippi / St. Andrew's Episcopal) returns as one of Trinity's leading distance swimmers following a strong performance at the 2026 NCAA Championships. Fender finished ninth in the 1650-yard freestyle with a lifetime-best time of 15:35.93, breaking his own school record and earning Second Team All-American honors. He also captured individual conference titles in the 200-yard, 500-yard and 1650-yard freestyle events last season.
 
Sophomore Jack Hester (Round Rock, Texas / Cedar Ridge) will also be a key returner after an impressive freshman season. Hester earned six SAA titles and was named both SAA Swimmer of the Meet and Rookie of the Meet. He went on to finish 12th in the 200-yard backstroke at the NCAA Championships, earning All-American recognition.
 
The Tigers also return several experienced upperclassmen, including seniors Trace Briones (San Antonio, Texas / Health Careers) and Ryan O'Leary (Austin, Texas / Austin). Briones contributed to two conference-winning relays last season, while O'Leary earned All-SAA honors in the 400-yard individual medley and 200-yard breaststroke. Their experience will provide additional depth as Trinity begins its season with a mix of returning swimmers and newcomers.
 
The Tigers also welcome eight freshmen to the roster this season, bringing additional depth across several events. Among the newcomers are Ethan Lim (Frisco, Texas / Frisco), who specializes in breaststroke, individual medley and butterfly, and Jacob Sityar (Mansfield, Texas / Lake Ridge), who joins Trinity's butterfly and backstroke group. Freshman Aiden Musella (Corpus Christi, Texas / King) will also join the Tigers on the diving boards alongside returning senior William Sikes (Pittsboro, North Carolina / Northwood). The incoming class will have its first opportunity to compete at the collegiate level as Trinity begins its conference title defense.
 
Looking Forward: 
Following Saturday's meet, Trinity Diving will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, for the Emory University Invite on Friday, October 30 and 31.