Davidson Swimming and Diving competed in the Atlantic 10 Championships in Hampton, Virginia last week.
The men’s team finished fifth with 420 points, anchored by gold medals from Henry Shoemaker ’29 (1,650 freestyle, 15:09.61) and Dylan Felt ‘26 (200 freestyle, 1:33.46; 500 freestyle, 4:19.28). Fletcher Smith ‘26 also broke a school record in the 200 Butterfly (1:45.63).
The women’s team finished ninth with 169 points behind sixth place finishes for the 400 medley relay and podiums from Ann Thompson ‘27 (200 backstroke, 1:59.53) and McKenna Smith ‘29 (50 freestyle, 23.03).
Felt’s two golds brought his career A-10 title count to nine, including his fourth consecutive win in the 500 free and second consecutive win in the 200 free. His 200 free was fast enough to qualify for the NCAA Championships on Mar. 18-21. Felt is the first Wildcat to qualify since Elise Lankiewicz ’17 in 2017.
Francis Bohner ’29 said Felt’s performance was a personal highlight. Illness leading into the meet made his results all the more energizing.
“When he was feeling under the weather before the meet, I lost some hope that he would perform to his high standards,” Bohner said. “But seeing him win the 200 while being sick and qualifying for NCAA had me jumping for the entire race and made our coach fall to the ground.”
Felt’s contributions extend beyond the individual event. Alongside Zain Butt ‘27, Mitch McClain ‘28, Phelim Crowley ‘29, the ‘Cats set another school record in the men’s 200 freestyle relay.
Meanwhile, Henry Shoemaker ’29 won the 1,650-yard freestyle. Capturing a victory in a challenge of stamina and performance signals both the immediate impact to the team and long-term promise for the ‘Cats.
Shoemaker’s hard work does not go unnoticed. “[His event] is all about mental toughness,” Bohner said. “The way he stayed composed and finished strong was really impressive.”
Shoemaker said the team got off to a slow start and were “a little off their times” at the start of the spring season. Nevertheless, the team pulled through to perform “to their standards” at A-10s.
“I wouldn’t say one specific person performed better under pressure but the entire team. We all gave it 101% of our effort at the A10 championship,” Shoemaker said.
According to the freshmen on the teams, a lot of the upper classmen and coaches provided the confidence and support that they needed. “I feel like our preparation from our coaches and teammates allowed that to happen, but I was also able to execute my races better due to the excitement,” Bohner said.
Bohner and Shoemaker noted that the results sheet paints an incomplete picture.
“I think they’re missing the countless days, hours, and hard practices we have gone through,” Bohner said. “They’re missing the moments of everyone on the team celebrating together, the hardships we’ve worked through, and the fun we have behind the results.”
“We are swimming in a puddle and seeing who is the fastest. Enjoy it and just have fun,” said Shoemaker, quoting a coach’s advice.
For some, the meet was bittersweet. “Although I am very sad that the senior class became swammers, I believe this freshman class is very talented and will continue to excel, as [will] the rest of the team,” Shoemaker said.
Up next, the Swim and Dive program will compete in the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, in March.
