Cardinal Men’s Swim Shines Bright: Ranked #10 in SwimCloud’s Most Improved Programs!

Wheeling, W. Va. – This past weekend SwimCloud, the timing system frequently utilized by NCAA Swim programs nationwide, revealed their top 10 most enhanced programs within NCAA DII. Throughout the previous three seasons, the Wheeling University Men’s Swimming team has been reconstructing, and the benefits of that reconstruction are beginning to manifest. They were recognized as the #10 most enhanced team in all of NCAA Division II Men’s Swimming, based on the Men’s Championship rankings from 2024. 

After the 2024 season concluded, the Cardinals were placed as the 69th top team in the nation, with the squad achieving its first All-Mountain East Conference (MEC) accolade in former Cardinal Jiwh Santos. As they approach the concluding phase of the 2025 season, the Cardinals have ascended 10 ranks to the 58th position in the country, with a lineup that boasts its highest count since the rebuilding commenced in 2020. They enter Saturday’s senior day dual competition against Frostburg State holding a record of 8-3 and are merely one dual meet victory away from equalling the single season wins record, established during the 2011-2012 season when the team achieved a record of 9-2. With three additional dual meets planned, the Cardinals are aiming to solidify their place in team history. 

Driving the team’s revival during the 2024-2025 season has been freshman Euan MacLeod, who has earned the MEC Male Swimmer of the Week award three times. MacLeod has emerged as the Cardinals’ leading short-distance swimmer this season, clocking the fastest times in both the 50 Free (20.72), 100 Free (45.73), 50 Back (23.44), 100 Back (52.11), 50 Breast (27.33), 100 Breast (58.77), and 50 Fly (23.50). Another standout for the Cardinals has been fellow freshman Sarp Killic, who has displayed adaptability in both short and long distance events. Killic leads the team in the 200 Free (1:48.33) and 500 Free (5:00.63), and ranks second in the 1000 Free (10:53.35). 

To create their list of the top 10 most enhanced programs, SwimCloud employed a variety of calculations. They initially evaluated the number of ranks a team ascended since 2024, which accounted for 20% of the assessment. Subsequently, they based 75% of the assessment on the relative magnitude of the leap compared to last season’s ranking; for instance, a team that surged from 5th to 1st would attain a higher score than a team moving from 50th to 40th. The final 5% was determined by Swimcloud Championship points. The remainder of the Top 10 Most Improved List is as follows: 

 

The Wheeling University Men’s Swimming team will resume competition on Saturday, January 18th, when they host Fairmont State with the first swims commencing at 1 PM.