Swim and Dive celebrates senior day Jan. 31, 2026

Donny Cortez

Swim & Dive Celebrates Senior Day with Wins

Titans conclude regular season with 25 event wins

1/31/2026 5:42:00 PM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - On a day full of celebrations, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's and women's swimming & diving teams gave its seniors the best gift on senior day: wins on both sides over Monmouth College Saturday afternoon, Jan. 31. The women's team bested the Fighting Scots, 180-48, while the men's team won, 108-58. In total, IWU claimed first place in 25 events.

The meet saw Illinois Wesleyan celebrate seniors Jay Jenkins (Aurora, Ill.-West Aurora), Julianna Boyle (Carol Stream, Ill.-Glenbard West), Kayleigh Kuschewski (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia), and Natalie Porter (Danville, Ill.-Danville). "Today was an amazing day to recognize our seniors," Director of Swim & Dive Dan Lloyd stated. "This is a very special group of seniors who have made an impact on our program. I am extremely grateful for their commitment, dedication, hard work, and leadership. It was a special moment for them that I am sure they will never forget."

Opening the meet with strong relay performances, the Titans swept the 200-yard medley relay. Junior Sam Borre (Hoffman Estates, Ill.-James B. Conant), Kuschewski, freshman Ellen Hoover (Naperville, Ill.-Naperville Central), and sophomore Isabella Cano (River Grove, Ill.-East Leyden) turned in a time of 1:58.62. The men's relay, composed of Jenkins, and sophomores Ben Huk (Des Plaines, Ill.-Maine West), Jacob Nacional (Bolingbrook, Ill.-Bolingbrook), and Tate Thomas (Joliet, Ill.-Joliet West) clocked in at 1:43.79.

On the women's side, Porter and Cano each took first in three events. Porter began her day with a win in the 200-yard freestyle, clocking a 2:03.04. She followed with a personal-best time of 35.01 to finish first in the 50-yard breaststroke. The Danville, Ill. native claimed her third win of the day, this time taking first in the 500-yard freestyle after touching at 5:20.01. Cano claimed the top spot in the 100-yard butterfly behind a time of 1:04.18. She also won the 100-yard freestyle (59.51), and the 50-yard butterfly after touching at 28.46.

IWU saw five wins from four other swimmers for the women's team. Kuschewski registered multiple wins, as she was victorious in the 50-yard backstroke (29.37) and the 100-yard backstroke (1:02.62). Boyle claimed first in the 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 19:49.09. Borre won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 27.77, tying her personal-best mark. Touching at 2:19.41, Hoover won the 200-yard individual medley and rewrote her personal-best effort in the event.

For the men, Jenkins and Nacional each recorded three top times. Jenkins notched wins in the 1650 Free (19:42.42), 50 back (25.88), and the 50 free (22.75). Nacional notched the top time in the 100 fly, clocking in at 56.07, and in the 50 fly utilizing a career-best time of 24.93. He finished out the individual portion of his day with a win in the 200 IM (2:08.83).

Thomas and Huk each won two events for the Titans. Thomas took home first in the 200 free (1:51.78), 100 free (50.46), while Huk finished first in the 50 breast (29.43), and touched in at 1:04.07 to win the 100-yard breaststroke.

Closing out the meet with the 200-yard freestyle relay, IWU registered the fastest time on both sides. Sophomore Julia Jozwiak (McHenry, Ill.-Wauconda), Porter, Boyle, and junior Claire Paule (Godfrey, Ill.-Alton) turned in a winning time of 1:52.26 on the women's side. The men's relay, composed of Nacional, Jenkins, Huk, and Thomas closed out the meet with a time of 1:33.56.

"We have been training extremely hard and trained today before the meet," said Lloyd. "I am proud of the way we stepped up and competed today being this tired. We are focused on conference and are excited for the championships in just a few weeks."

The Titans turn their attention to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championships Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 18-21. The four day event will take place at the Recplex in Pleasant Prairie, Wis.

IWU Individual Results
*Personal Best

Women's 1650 Free
1. Julianna Boyle, 19:49.09

Men's 1650 Free
1. Jay Jenkins, 19:42.42

Women's 200 Free
1. Natalie Porter, 2:03.04
2. Julia Jozwiak, 2:08.88
4. Emilee Spicer, 2:19.02

Men's 200 Free
1. Tate Thomas, 1:51.78

Women's 50 Back
1. Kayleigh Kuschewski, 29.37
2. Sam Borre, 30.40
3. Claire Paule, 31.78
5. Libby Hamer, 34.97

Men's 50 Back
1. Jay Jenkins, 25.88
3. Tate Thomas, 30.08

Women's 50 Breast
1. Natalie Porter, 35.01*
3. Caroline Stenger, 35.92
4. Ellen Hoover, 35.94*
5. Julianna Boyle, 43.95*

Men's 50 Breast
1. Ben Huk, 29.43

Women's 100 Fly
1. Isabella Cano, 1:04.18
3. Kayleigh Kuschewski, 1:09.36

Men's 100 Fly
1. Jacob Nacional, 56.07

Women's 50 Free
1. Sam Borre, 27.77*
2. Julia Jozwiak, 28.19
4. Emilee Spicer, 30.33

Men's 50 Free
1. Jay Jenkins, 22.75

Women's 100 Free
1. Isabelle Cano, 59.51
2. Claire Paule, 1:00.63
3. Julia Jozwiak, 1:00.82
4. Caroline Stenger, 1:02.53*

Men's 100 Free
1. Tate Thomas, 50.46

Women's 100 Back
1. Kayleigh Kuschewski, 1:02.62
2. Sam Borre, 1:04.71

Women's 100 Breast
3. Caroline Stenger, 1:19.49

Men's 100 Breast
1. Ben Huk, 1:04.07

Women's 500 Free
1. Natalie Porter, 5:20.01
3. Emilee Spicer, 6:02.52

Women's 50 Fly
1. Isabella Cano, 28.46
2. Ellen Hoover, 29.80
4. Claire Paule, 32.37
5. Julianna Boyle, 33.26*

Men's 50 Fly
1. Jacob Nacional, 24.93*

Women's 200 IM
1. Ellen Hoover, 2:19.41*

Men's 200 IM
1. Jacob Nacional, 2:08.83
2. Ben Huk, 2:15.93

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