WASHINGTON, PA - The Cougars were ready to go in their first meet of 2026. The Chatham men's (1-4, 1-3 PAC) and women's (2-4, 2-3 PAC) swim and dive teams headed South to take on Washington & Jefferson (M (3-3, 3-1 PAC) W (3-4, 3-2 PAC)) and Franciscan (W (2-3, 1-3)) in a tri-meet. 

For the men's team, the Cougars gave it all and had multiple top three finished, but unfortunately fell to the Presidents 48-221

Second place finishes were secured by Brady Gardner in the 1650 Freestyle, John Mitchell in the 200 Backstroke, and Caleb Trainum in both the 100 Butterfly and 400 IM. Third places finishes were earned by Maxwell Rollins in the 100 Backstroke, Ethan Hopkins in the 100 Breaststroke, and Xavier Johnston in the 1 Mtr Diving. 

The 200 Freestyle Relay team consisting of Mitchell, Hopkins, Kenneth McFerron, and Rollins would finished second as well.

As for the women, the Cougars would fall 88-145 to the Presidents, but defeat the Lady Barons 123-63. 

Multiple first place finishes would be secured by Alayna Kercher in the 500 and 1650 Freestyle and, Hannah Uhrinek in the 100 and 200 Butterfly, and Olivia Mucha in the 200 Backstroke. Second place finishes would come from Carlie McClurg in the 100 Backstroke and 100 Freestlye, Siera Schmitt in the 100 Breaststroke, Kercher in the 400 IM. To round out third place, Mucha would secure the 50 Freestyle, Hannah Kane in the 100 Freestyle, and Schmitt in the 400 IM. 

The 200 Freestyle Relay team with Uhrinek, Kane, Mucha, and McClurg would earn a second place finish as well. 

The Cougars are back in the water Saturday, January 17th, when they head to Hiram, OH to take on Hiram College in a PAC meet at 1 PM.