The Jamestown Community College women’s swimming and diving team is pictured after winning the 2025 NJCAA Non-Scholarship National Championship at Erie Community College on Saturday. Submitted photo

BUFFALO — It was a national championship for the ages for Jamestown Community College’s women’s and men’s swimming and diving teams at Erie Community College for the NJCAA swimming and diving championships.

JCC’s ladies came back down I-90 as the NJCAA Non-Scholarship National Champs. For the men, they finished a program-best second place. Jamestown also filled the individual trophy case thanks to freshman Zach Johnson, who earned the non-scholarship Male Swimmer of the Championship and the Male Swimmer of the Year.

“I am so proud of the entire men’s and women’s swimming teams for their outstanding performances at the national level. The women winning their third national title and fourth in five years really shows the type of program we have going here at JCC, and the men finishing second, which we have never done, just shows that we are one step closer to getting a men’s title. Their dedication and hard work truly shone through, and it was inspiring to see how far they’ve come,” said an ecstatic coach, Todd Conklin.

In totality, the Jayhawks ended the meet with 67 All-American honors captured, ten new program records, and a pair of Region 3 records.

“Having achieved ten new records and 67 additional All-American honors is an incredible accomplishment that should not be discounted at all. These milestones reflect the hard work, dedication, and talent of our athletes. Setting new records showcases not just individual excellence but also the cohesive effort of the entire team, pushing each other to new heights,” he added.

Looking closer at day four of the championship meet, Jalyn Linton got things started with a 14th place race in the 50 butterfly with a personal best time of 31:21. A trio of Jayhawks dove into the 1650 free, the most grueling event on the calendar. Sophomore Anna Jones came home 9th, shaving over a minute from her previous best time. Addison Lawson also came close to cutting a minute from her time, finishing 11th, while Sophia Gervasio swam home in 14th. Emily Swan and Linton were next in the pool in the 100 free. Swan clocked an 11th place swim, while Linton earned 15th. Desiree Putt was back on the podium in the 200 back, bringing Jamestown an eighth place medal. Teammate Gervasio was also in the 200 back, where she came in 13th. In the 200 breast, Haleigha Hardy won the consolation final, earning ninth place points in the process. Flipping to the relay, arguably the most impressive swim by the Jayhawks during the championships came in the 400 free relay, where the JCC women finished third in the nation, beating several scholarship schools in the process. The team of Lawson, Emily Swan, Putt, and Jones had the entire Jayhawk bench on their feet, especially Swan, who swam the anchor leg and raced down the third place finish. Lastly for the ladies was the 3-meter dive. It was another strong performance from sophomore Ashlynn Swan, who not only snatched third overall but also set a program record with a score of 227.00.

“The women’s team repeating as national champions is such an incredible achievement. It speaks volumes about their hard work, determination, and teamwork. Their consistency and ability to perform under pressure are truly commendable. This victory not only showcases their talent but also sets a great example for future generations. I couldn’t be prouder of what this young team achieved. After losing basically everyone last year, I knew it was going to be an uphill battle, but these ladies really grew as individuals and as a team. The women’s team truly was the definition of we all make it easier, as it takes the whole team to win. The veteran leadership from Anna Jones and Ashlynn Swan should not go unnoticed. The improvements through the year and at the national meet were awesome. I’m excited to see what they’ll accomplish next,” added Conklin.

On the men’s side, two more records fell on the final day. Johnson showed why he was the swimmer of the meet with his JCC record-breaking swim in the 200 breast, where his 2:14:01 saw him in eighth place overall. To finish the night, JCC’s 400 relay team of Johnson, Kyle Dean, Cameron Milewski, and Christian Merrill collaborated on a sixth place time of 3:23:64, for yet another JCC record. Sandwiched between those two events were several other solid showings for Jamestown. Milewski finished 13th in the 50 butterfly; he also took 13th in the 200 back, just missing out on All-American status in both events. Lastly, sophomore Dean garnered a ninth-place time of 2:02:16 in the 200 back.

“The men’s team rewriting the swimming record books and finishing as runners-up for the first time ever is outstanding. It reflects their relentless effort, dedication, and growth throughout the season. Breaking records is no small feat, and to achieve such a high placement for the first time is a testament to their talent and hard work. Kyle Dean took on the role of the veteran, and he was a huge reason why we achieved what we did; he brought his experience to the team. Zach Johnson had a season to remember; between all his new records and being named swimmer of the meet and year, it is no small feat, and I’m super proud of what he accomplished this year, but I’m even more excited about what the future will be. This guy’s team really stepped it up and fought to the end, and that’s all the coaches can ask for now. We just have to build from here and get that first one. I’m excited to see how they build on this success in the future,” mentioned Conklin.

16 All American honors were earned by JCC on the final day of the meet, bringing the total to 67.

“Besides our first national title, I feel this one is particularly special because we started over and still managed to achieve such success. It highlights our ability to rebuild and adapt, showing the resilience of our team and the commitment of everyone involved. This victory represents a new beginning and confirms that even with a fresh squad, we can rise to the top. It’s a testament to our hard work, unity, and the belief that we have in each other. This championship feels like a true milestone and encourages us to keep pushing forward,” said Conklin. “As we reflect on our championship team, I can’t help but feel immense pride in what we’ve accomplished together. There’s truly no better time to be a Jayhawk! Our success is not just about the titles; it’s about building a strong tradition of excellence that will carry on for years to come. Each member of our team has played a vital role in establishing a culture of hard work, support, and determination. As we continue to strive for greatness, I’m excited to see how we can elevate our program even further and inspire future generations of Jayhawks. Together, we’re not only creating a legacy but also setting the standard for what it means to be a Jayhawk. Let’s keep that momentum going,” he added.

JCC should have a great chance to keep the winning streak alive in 2025-26. The Jayhawks say farewell to Anna Jones and Ashlynn Swan, the lone sophomores in the women’s program. For the men, they tip the cap to sophomores Kyle Dean, Kyle Camp, and Randall Hall. Both the men and women are in line to return five sophomores each from this year, added to some strong recruiting being done by the coaching staff.