Last weekend, Middlebury women’s swimming and diving headed to Waterville, Maine to compete in the highly-anticipated 2025 NESCAC Championship. Hosted by Colby College, the four-day weekend kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 13 with the 800 Freestyle Relay, and wrapped up on Sunday, Feb. 16 with the 400 Freestyle Relay.
Historically, the Panthers have finished third on four occasions, demonstrating their consistent strength and determination in the NESCAC conference. This year, #23 Middlebury, with a 3–3 record in the regular season, came ready to fight as they faced top-ranked opponents such as Williams College, Amherst College, Colby College and Tufts University. Ultimately, the Panthers placed fifth out of 11 teams, with a total of 996 points — no small feat considering the level of competition seen at the NESCAC Championship.
Right out of the gate on Thursday, Middlebury’s relay “A” team placed fourth among 22 relay teams, beating the Panthers’ record time and qualifying them for an NCAA ‘B’ cut. The relay “B” team also achieved an NCAA ‘B’ cut time, making it clear to all that the Panthers came fiercely ready to race.
“I think the meet couldn’t have started off on a better note with our 800 free relay,” Sasha Casey ’27 wrote. “We’ve been working so hard this season, both in and out of the pool — and seeing it pay off with 2 incredible swims on night one was so rewarding, and carried us into the rest of the meet with high spirits and lots of excitement.”
Despite the high stakes of the weekend, the Panthers upheld their team values and maintained a supportive atmosphere for one another. Head Coach Bob Rueppel described the team’s energy heading into the weekend as outstanding.
“[We were] very confident, but knowing we have to have fun to put us in a spot to attain what we can be,” Rueppel wrote.
This confidence proved successful, as several Panthers achieved standout finishes. Maddy Reid ’25 placed second in the 50 Backstroke with an impressive time of 26.20, while Chloe Katz ’25 showed sheer endurance in the 1000 Freestyle, achieving third place with 10:08.46. Anna McGrew ’28 came in at second place for the 100 Freestyle with 50.89.
For seniors Reid and Katz, these events will surely contribute to a memorable finish to their Middlebury swimming careers. Their leadership will be greatly missed, there’s no doubt that their legacy will continue to impact the team in future seasons.
“The senior women on this team are so special. They fostered one of the most genuine and supportive communities I’ve ever been a part of, and I am forever grateful to them for making this women's team what it is. We will miss every one of them,” Casey wrote.
Across the several-day meet, the Panthers’ outstanding performance and unwavering positivity showcased their dedication and commitment to each other and to their sport, and will undoubtedly set them up for success beyond the NESCAC conference weekend.
“Our energy on deck is always unmatched, and the collective energy is contagious. Our personal outcomes are never that important because we always find excitement and fulfillment in watching our teammates do well and celebrating our accomplishments as a team. We work so hard all season that these meets are always so rewarding and are an amazing way to celebrate,” Emma Hall ’26 wrote.
While the Panthers may have not secured a conference title this year, they have much to be proud of and will continue to celebrate their progress each step of the way. Looking forward, we can expect to see Middlebury Women’s Swimming and Diving build on their current success and values, using the 2025 NESCAC championship weekend as one integral step in their overall journey as a team.
“They have learned to find a place where success and failure does not matter… the journey does,” Rueppel wrote.
Brooke Friberg '26 (she/her) is a Sports Editor.
Brooke is majoring in political science and Spanish, and recently studied abroad in Madrid. During J-Term, Brooke interned for the First Circuit Court of Appeals. She loves cooking, true crime podcasts, skiing, national parks, and her dog and cat (Gridley and Rory).
