Men’s and women’s swimming and diving won their fifth- and fourth-straight at the Feb. 19-22 Atlantic 10 Championships in Hampton, Virginia. 

The men’s team blew past their opponents, outscoring second-place St. Bonaventure 883.5-517.5 while the women’s team earned a tighter victory, outpacing second-place Richmond 598.5-571. Head Coach Chico Rego brought home Men’s Coach of the Year following the championship win after leading both teams to clinch their A-10 victories in his first season coaching the Revolutionaries. 

The pair of victories marks a rare streak of dominance in college swimming and diving. While individual teams have enjoyed streaks of at least eight consecutive A-10 championships, no school in the conference has ever had both its men’s and women’s team win at least two years in a row.

“We all have worked super hard and have put in many long hours,” junior diver Olivia Paquette said. “So knowing who we are as a team and what we’re capable of was important.”

The Revolutionaries brought home 16 gold medals, 13 silver and 13 bronze medals amongst both teams, and three student-athletes picked up individual awards, including senior swimmer Conner Rodgers, who won Men’s Most Outstanding Performer for placing first and setting A-10 records in the 200 IM, 400 IM and 200 fly. Freshman Shae Stratton was named A-10 Men’s Most Outstanding Rookie after he earned gold in the 200 back and placed fourth in the 100 back, and Paquette earned the A-10 Women’s Most Outstanding Diver title after recording 37 points for the team and receiving gold in the 1-meter dive and silver for the 3-meter dive performances.

“We saw so many changes with this program, and we put up with so much through our four years here,” Rodgers said. “So it was very exciting to see the fact that we got to finish both men’s and women’s with a set of four rings.”

Following the conclusion of last season, officials were set to fill in the Smith Center pool to build training courts for the basketball teams, prompting swimmers and divers to petition against the decision. The plan never came to fruition due to structural limitations, but over ten swimmers entered the transfer portal during the upheaval, and former Head Coach Brian Thomas’ resignation came less than a month after the announcement to cease the plans.

Rodgers said the camaraderie among both teams was a key aspect to their success, with swimmers and divers supporting each other throughout the competition. 

“On the last day, there were so many emotions attached to each person’s race,” Rodgers said. “No matter if someone still had to swim or if they were done for the meet, I saw so many people run over, give someone a hug when they swam well, tears of joy, and that all contributes to each of our performances and as a reason we feel confident getting up on the blocks.”

Also placing first in their races were Stratton, who won the 200-yard back with a 1:42.96 minute performance, sophomore Ben Sosnowski, who won the 200-yard breaststroke in 1:56.23 minutes, and graduate student Elliott Irwin, who placed first in the 100-yard freestyle in 42.73 seconds. A four-swimmer GW team also picked up gold and an A-10 record in the 400-yard freestyle in 2:53.10.

The women’s team also added two golds on the final competition day alone: junior Ava Topolewski won the 1650-yard freestyle in 16:24.19 and senior Moriah Freitas took first in the 200-yard butterfly with a 1:58.93 time. 

Senior swimmer Chloe Hernandez said the feat is particularly special for the seniors on the team, who have won conference championships all four years at GW.

“I know all the seniors are really happy to go four for four, and sharing that moment with the men’s team for all four years is also super special,” Hernandez said. “I think that we had a really interesting year, and just to see it all come together in one week was something that was very special for both the men and the women’s team.”

Paquette said Rego’s passion and excitement brings a lot of positive energy to the teams, including the diving team, pushing the student-athletes to constantly improve at each practice.

“He’s always very encouraging,” Paquette said. “You can really tell that he cares about everyone on the team, including the divers, which is not always felt. This year, we’ve really felt like a very cohesive team, and I would say our team culture has definitely benefited from him a lot.”

Rego said that despite the significance of the championships for the teams, he stressed the importance of having fun and making memories to his student-athletes.

“Of course, what the accomplishments of the sport gives you means something,” Rego said. “But you gotta have fun with it.”

Swimmers from both teams will head to Ocala, Florida, to compete in the CSCAA National Invitational Championships from March 13 to 15.