Women's Swim and Dive opens 2026 with home win at Sewanee Invitational

SEWANEE, Tenn. – The Sewanee women's swimming and diving team opened the 2026 season with a strong all-around performance on Saturday at the Fowler Center, securing a home win at the Sewanee Invitational against Midway and Brenau.

The Tigers picked up their first pool victory in the 200 Medley Relay, where Caroline Johnston, Eleanor Bishop, Audrey Francell, and Ada Digby combined for a winning 1:55.09. Sewanee maintained momentum in the distance events, beginning with Adelina Willett, who was the top Tiger finisher in the 1000 Freestyle before coming back to win the 500 Free. Her victory led a dominant 1–2–3–4 sweep with Jules Vadal, Samantha Denman, and Mary Sigman closing out the scoring.

In the sprint events, Digby won the 50 Free in 25.30, followed by Francell in second (25.51). Sewanee then swept the 100 Free, with McKenna Reed (57.93), Bishop (58.63), and Ella Deitch (1:00.36) taking the top three spots. Francell added another victory in the 100 Fly, continuing her strong day.

The Tigers added depth scoring in the backstroke, where Johnston and Deitch contributed key points, including four Sewanee women placing in the top six of the 200 Back. In the 100 Breast, Bishop claimed the event title with a 1:11.50, while Spera added additional points for the Tigers.

Sewanee closed the meet with another relay victory in the 400 Free Relay, as the A team of Francell, Bishop, Reed, and Digby took home first place to cap the women's session on a high note.

On the boards, the Tigers delivered a dominant showing as Lily Stooksbury and Anne Claud swept both the 1-meter and 3-meter events, giving Sewanee a perfect scoring start on the women's side.

Sewanee continues its January schedule with three upcoming home dual meets before traveling to Danville, Ky., for the SAA Championships in early February.

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Players Mentioned

Eleanor Bishop: Sophomore

Ella Deitch: Sophomore

Ada Digby: Sophomore

Audrey Francell: 5' 3"; Senior

McKenna Reed: Sophomore

Lily Stooksbury: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Adelina Willett: Sophomore

Samantha Denman: Freshman

Caroline Johnston: Freshman

Mary Sigman: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Eleanor Bishop
: Sophomore

Ella Deitch
: Sophomore

Ada Digby
: Sophomore

Audrey Francell
: 5' 3"; Senior

McKenna Reed
: Sophomore

Lily Stooksbury
: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Adelina Willett
: Sophomore

Samantha Denman
: Freshman

Caroline Johnston
: Freshman

Mary Sigman
: Freshman