Ravenscroft Swimmers Shine on International Stage in London | Information

For most student-athletes, competing at a nationwide championship is a dream realized. For Ravenscroft swimmers Mattaus Rammel ’26 and David Davis ’28, that dream expanded past nationwide borders once they earned spots on the National Club Swimming Association (NCSA) All-Star Team representing the United States on the prestigious Adam Peaty (AP) Race London International 2026. Held May 23–25, on the London Aquatics Centre, the venue provided the athletes an opportunity to race in the identical pool that welcomed the world’s finest swimmers in the course of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Representing the U.S. alongside 56 of the nation’s high age-group swimmers, the Ravenscroft duo traveled to England to compete in opposition to elite athletes from all over the world whereas experiencing worldwide competitors on the highest stage.

For Rammel, a latest Ravenscroft graduate who has begun his collegiate profession with The Ohio State University swimming and diving program, the journey was particularly significant.

“I’d never been outside of the country before,” Rammel mentioned. “For my first time traveling internationally to be for a swim meet like this was unbelievable. It was an incredible opportunity.”

The alternative was one Rammel had been chasing for greater than a yr. After narrowly lacking choice in 2025 by a single spot, he certified this yr on the primary day of the choice course of and have become the primary male swimmer chosen for the NCSA All-Star Team. 

“I had heard so many great things about this meet,” Rammel mentioned. “When I found out I made it, I was just really grateful and excited.”

Rammel and Davis each earned their invites via standout performances at a national-level meet in Orlando, the place the highest 28 boys and 28 women have been chosen to symbolize the U.S. on the AP Race London International in London.

“It was amazing just to be chosen,” Davis mentioned. “Most of the athletes there were juniors and seniors committed to high-level Division I programs. It was really cool to train and compete alongside some of the best recruits in the country.”

While each swimmers are accustomed to competing at an elite stage via membership and highschool swimming, the London meet introduced a distinct problem.

“The competition was unlike anything I’ve experienced,” Rammel mentioned. “Some of the best swimmers in the world were all in one pool.”

Davis embraced the environment by treating it like another meet, although he shortly realized the size was a lot bigger.

“It was the biggest competition I’d ever been to,” Davis mentioned. “You’d be behind the blocks or in the warm-up pool hearing all kinds of different languages from athletes representing countries around the world.”

The occasion itself was a manufacturing in contrast to a typical swim meet. Athletes educated all through the week earlier than competitors started, whereas additionally participating in sightseeing excursions that included a ship tour alongside the River Thames and a go to to Westminster Abbey.

For Davis, one of the vital memorable moments got here earlier than a race when athletes have been launched to the gang.

“They announced, ‘Representing the United States of America, David Davis,'” he recalled. “That was super cool to hear before my race.”

In the pool, each Ravens made the many of the alternative. Davis superior to finals in three occasions and completed as one of many high 18-and-under swimmers within the 200 butterfly. Rammel posted a private finest within the 100 butterfly whereas competing in opposition to among the world’s high expertise.

Beyond the outcomes, each athletes spoke in regards to the private progress that got here from the expertise.

Rammel credited Ravenscroft’s “Lead From Here” philosophy for serving to put together him to function a frontrunner among the many staff.

“As one of the older athletes on the trip, I felt a responsibility to lead by example,” he mentioned. “A lot of the lessons I’ve learned at Ravenscroft carried over.”

Davis realized the significance of staying composed underneath strain.

“I think I learned how to stay calmer in big moments,” Davis mentioned. “The meet was so much bigger than anything I’d experienced before, and I had to make sure I didn’t let the nerves get to me.”

The expertise additionally offered helpful preparation for the subsequent chapter of Rammel’s profession as he transitions to collegiate swimming.

“Swimming internationally gave me a different perspective,” he mentioned. “In college I’ll be racing athletes from all over the world, so having that experience already will definitely help.”

One of probably the most distinctive points of the journey was that the 2 Ravenscroft college students have been capable of share the expertise collectively. While many athletes traveled with membership teammates, only a few represented the identical college.

“When David qualified, I was so excited for him,” Rammel mentioned. “Having a friend from home there with me made the trip ten times more fun.”

Davis echoed the sentiment.

“There were lots of athletes from the same club teams, but not many from the same school,” he mentioned. “It was really special that we were both there representing Ravenscroft.”

Away from the pool, each swimmers valued the friendships they constructed with teammates from throughout the nation.

“I’ll remember walking around London with people I’d just met and becoming really good friends with them,” Davis mentioned.

Rammel agreed, saying a few of his favourite recollections got here merely from spending time with teammates outdoors of competitors.

When requested to explain the expertise in a single phrase, each athletes discovered solutions that mirrored the affect of the journey.

For Davis, the phrase was “unreal.”

“It was everything I could have dreamed of,” he mentioned.

For Rammel, the phrase was “opportunity.”

“Because this experience gave me an opportunity to become better in the future,” he mentioned.

From competing on a world stage to creating lifelong recollections and friendships, Rammel and Davis represented Ravenscroft with distinction whereas gaining experiences that may form them each out and in of the pool for years to come back.