The Illinois Wesleyan men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams battled in a triangular meet against North Central College and Olivet Nazarene University on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 inside Perry Center in Bourbonnais, Ill., with the Titans recording 13 personal bests in events.
Both Titan teams beat North Central — the women’s team winning 131-53, while the men won 77-22. Both lost to Olivet Nazarene, the men 168-21 and the women 147-52. Similar to track and field, scoring is based on placement in individual and/or team events, and totaled up.
This meet was a challenge for the Titans as a lot of swimmers were assigned to off events, or events they don’t typically swim. Being pushed out of your comfort zone can be uncomfortable, but with 13 personal bests posted, it’s clear the team was up for the challenge.
“The team was definitely excited and I think a little surprised with how well all the off events went this weekend,” sophomore Caroline Stenger said, “The win over NCC and close races with ONU were good confidence boosters that we can compete no matter what we are racing in.”
Stenger placed fifth in women’s breast and seventh in 200 free, which was an off event for her. Remarkably, she posted a career best in the 200 free with a time of 2:14:22. “I only swim the 200 free around once a season and I haven’t PBed in it since June 2024, so I was really glad to see that improvement,” she said.
With 25 Titans placing in the top-ten of their events, just two earned first. Junior Claire Paule placed first in the women’s 1000 free event and first-year Abby Schnittker beat out her competition in the women’s 100 free.
Just starting her collegiate career, first-year Ellen Hoover made a personal best in the women’s 200 free. Placing fourth in an off event is not bad for an event Hoover would not usually swim. “This was definitely a nice change of pace,” she said, “It was harder to get up and going though, especially because it was a different pool and different atmosphere.”
The Titans next outing is on Nov. 21 when they participate in the Beloit Invite in Robert G. Nicholls Natatorium at Beloit, Wis. The two-day meet begins at 10 a.m.
