Swimming season preview: Bulldogs dive off the blocks

Butler swimming is off to the races in Coach Stewart’s twenty first 12 months as head coach. Photo courtesy of Butler Athletics.

AIDEN CADDELL | STAFF REPORTER | acaddell@butler.edu

Diving into the 2025 season, the Bulldog swimming team began their 12 months off in heartwarming vogue, assembly with Wabash College in its third annual “Swim Across America” charity occasion. Over $6,000 was raised for most cancers consciousness on the Sept. 25 occasion.

The occasion has develop into a convention for the ladies’s workforce, which is seeking to construct and enhance upon its historic 2024 season that noticed eight college information damaged. Many contributors from that milestone season are returning this 12 months, together with senior and short-distance swimmer Kate Schilling, who set 5 particular person information herself. 

The Bulldogs begin their aggressive season on Oct. 4 at IU Indy, going through the Jaguars in addition to Bellarmine, BGSU, Saint Louis and Big East opponent Xavier. Head coach Maurice Stewart, in his twenty first season at Butler, goals to start out the season sturdy at a pool he says is among the quickest on this planet. 

“I think this year could be one of the best and most exciting seasons I’ve had [in my time] here at Butler,” Stewart mentioned. “I’m very excited… [to] finish out this class on a very high note.” 

Following the crosstown meet, the Bulldogs head north to Purdue University for the Indiana Intercollegiates. Schilling, who positioned third in each the 100 Breaststroke and 100 Fly final 12 months on the meet, says it’s one among her favourite experiences of the season. 

“I’m really excited for the Purdue meet coming up,” Schilling mentioned. “It brings the whole team together, and we race against some really fast girls.”

Looking ahead to the 12 months, Stewart says the mid-season “House of Champions” invite in November is highlighted, circled and bolded on his calendar. Last 12 months, the workforce scored 619 factors en path to a ninth-place end. 

“We typically perform well at that meet, [as] it’s a good mid-season, high-performance meet for us and other teams,” Stewart mentioned. “Hopefully, the results are going to add motivation and confidence to our ladies, carrying us into the second half of the season.”

Senior Olivia Stotts, a dash distance swimmer and member of the 400 Free relay workforce, feels the liveliness at high-importance meets, such because the House of Champions, is unmatched.

“The 400 Free relay, it’s the last relay of every big meet like the House of Champs and Big East,” Stotts mentioned. “I’m really excited for the high energy and doing better than we did last year and years past.” 

The season concludes in February with the Big East Championship in Ocala, Florida. Last 12 months, the Bulldogs put collectively an all-time efficiency, scoring the second-most factors in class historical past on the convention championship. This 12 months, the Dawgs look to raised their efforts, setting their sights on program historical past as soon as once more.

“[The girls] come in wanting to get better each day, and they work really hard to achieve that,” Stewart mentioned. “It’s about work ethic, motivation and building confidence. They do a good job balancing those three to carry us into what’s hopefully going to be a great season.” 

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