Big Ten Pronounces 2025-26 Swimmers and Divers to Watch

MINNEAPOLIS – The Big Ten Conference introduced their 2025-26 Men’s and Women’s Swimmers and Divers to Watch lists this afternoon, with sophomore Jacob Johnson, senior Drew Bennett, junior Katie McCarthy, and senior Vivi Del Angel representing the maroon and gold.

 

Johnson tallied a report breaking freshman season for the Gophers, setting this system report for the 200 fly (1:39.96) whereas additionally sitting at eighth all time within the 50 free (19.26). Johnson was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week 4 occasions all through the 2024-25 12 months, capping off his inaugural collegiate marketing campaign with being named to the Big Ten All Freshman staff, Second Team All Big Ten, and incomes All American honors within the 200 fly.

 

Bennett closed out his All American Honorable Mention season putting 14th on platform on the 2024-25 NCAA Championships. The veteran diver was named Big Ten Diver of the Week (12/11) as soon as final season whereas climbing up this system report books, transferring as much as ninth all time within the 3-meter (415.15) and seventh all time within the 1-meter (399.95).

 

McCarthy returns as one of many Gophers’ Swimmers to Watch after incomes the award final season. The Edina, Minn. native continues to place up sturdy performances for the maroon and gold, putting twenty fifth on the NCAA Championships within the 500 free prelims with a 4:39.71, private report and the eighth quickest time in program historical past. McCarthy etched her title in three different occasions for this system final season, now sitting at seventh all time within the 1000 free (9:40.68), seventh within the 400 IM (4:10.36), and seventh within the 1650 free (16:05.75).

 

Del Angel returns as one of many Gophers’ Divers to Watch after additionally incomes the award final season. The former nationwide champion closed out the 2024-25 season putting third and posting the second highest rating in program historical past (371.50) in platform on the NCAA Championships. Del Angel earned All American honors in platform and the 1-meter and was named Minnesota’s Diver of the Year by the staff for her efforts.

 

The University of Minnesota Gophers kick off their 2025-26 season on the Jean Ok. Freeman Aquatic Center with a twin meet towards the University of Nebraska and the University of South Dakota on Friday, Oct. 10.