(WILMINGTON, Ohio) – The Quakers men's and women's swim team opens their 2025-26 season tomorrow afternoon against Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) foe Baldwin Wallace University on the road at 1:00 P.M.
 
The Quakers have a new head coach in Michael Branch, who enters his first season. He is no stranger to Wilmington College, as he spent two seasons with the program in the late 2010's under longtime head coach Trip Breen. He is joined by assistant coach Emma Thompson, who swam for two years at Wilmington and was brought back in August.
 
"These last four weeks we have been working with the team to get back into shape. After the first week or two, they have looked really well and strong going into our first couple of dual meets," Branch says.
 
Both the Men's and Women's teams finished 3-7 overall and 1-4 in the conference last year.
 
"We are hoping to do better than last year even though we are down a few people with the coaching change. I am really happy with the athletes we have here and want to make improvements from the years past," Branch adds.
 
His prior experiences have included stops as an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Chowan University, NAIA program Olivet Nazarene University, and Wittenberg University before returning to Wilmington.
 
"At each place, I have been able to take something out of it, whether it is how to tackle or not to tackle team culture. What is important for morals or priorities to guide a team and to get the most out of team while ensuring they enjoy their season. Figuring out what works best for teams in the past and what translates with our team," Branch proclaims.
 
First-Years to Watch
 
 "We have a small freshmen class. We did get a couple first-years who wanted to try out swimming, and we are really excited to have them."
 
Branch acknowledges the three first-years on the men's team, Bo Bindewald, Carson Duerk, and Andrew Patterson.
"They came in with high hopes, and we want to keep those goals in mind. They are definitely adding to the team with drive to be better. So far, they have caught on fast to the training and they have endless potential to go up."
 
Key Returners to Watch on the Women's Team
 
Branch mentions four key returners for the women's team: junior Gabby Kuetemeyer, junior Sophia Mignery, senior Makenna Garn, and senior Sydney Overmyer.
 
"They were key athletes this past season. I am really excited to see how they do," Branch emphasizes. "I am really trying to make the most out of their season and make sure they remain as competitive as possible to push the Women's team to the next level."
 
Last year, Garn participated in the Individual Medley (IM) and Breaststroke events. She set new personal best times in the 50 Short Course Meters (SC) Freestyle (29.78) and the 100 SC Freestyle (1:05.76). In her sophomore campaign, Garn finished third in the "A" finals of the 100 Yard Breaststroke at the OAC Championships (1:08.06) and was named All-OAC in the event. She also finished second in the "A" finals of the 200 Yard Breaststroke at the OAC Championships and set a new program record time of 2:27.25 during the 2023-2024 season.
 
Overmyer, who specializes in Sprint Freestyle and Backstroke, appeared in all 11 meets for the Quakers in the 2024-2025 season. The senior set new personal best times in the 200 SC Freestyle (2:32.43), the 50 Yard Breaststroke (37.39), among other improvements. She competed in the "B" finals at the OAC Championships in the 500 Yard Freestyle, 200 Yard Backstroke, and competed in the prelims for the 100 Yard Backstroke.
 
Mignery also set new personal best times in the 50 SC Freestyle (32.01), 100 SC Freestyle (1:11.50), and more events. She competed in the "B" finals of the 100 Yard Breaststroke and 200 Yard Breaststroke at the OAC Championships and in the prelims of the 50 Yard Freestyle. She was named to the CSC Academic All-District team and Academic All-OAC.
 
Kuetemeyer appeared in all 11 meets last year while setting over 10 new personal best times. She competes in the Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Individual Medley. Kuetemeyer finished 5th in the 100 Yard Breaststroke and 6th in the 200 Yard Breaststroke and competed in the "B" finals of the 200 Yard IM at the OAC Championships last season. During her freshman year Kuetemeyer won the "B" finals of the 200 Yard IM at the OAC Championships and competed in two relays for the Quakers at the OAC Championships.
 
Key Returners to Watch on the Men's Team
 
For the men's team, Branch points out senior Sondre Haugen, senior John Good, junior Jo Pedersen, and sophomore Parker Basener as mainstays who are returning.
 
"Huge impact players last year, whether it's setting school records, relays, individually. They want to continue to break more records and have big goals for the conference while making sure they are pushing the men's team to the next level," says Branch.
 
Sondre Haugen returns after a remarkably successful 2024-2025 campaign. While setting multiple personal best times, he also set program records in the 100 Yard Freestyle (45.87), 200 Yard Freestyle (1:39.01), 500 Yard Freestyle (4:32.59), and the 100 Yard Butterfly (49.49). The senior was also a part of four program record breaking relay teams. Haugen won the OAC Championship in the 200 Yard Freestyle with a conference record time of 1:39.01 and won the OAC Championship in the 500 Yard Freestyle. He finished fifth in the 100 Yard Freestyle at the OAC Championships as well. Haugen was also named OAC Swimmer of the Week on November 25th, 2024, CSC Academic All-District, and Academic All-OAC.
 
John Good appeared in all 11 meets last season while setting numerous personal best times. He was a part of four program record breaking relay teams including the 400 Yard Medley Relay (3:23.59) and 200 Yard Freestyle Relay (1:24.50). Good also was a member of the Quakers All-OAC 800 Yard Freestyle Relay team that finished second and the 400 Yard Medley Relay team that finished third at the OAC Championships. He finished 5th in the 100 Yard Backstroke and 8th in the 50 Yard Freestyle at the OAC Championships while competing in the "B" finals of the 200 Yard Backstroke.
 
Junior Jo Pedersen appeared in all 11 meets last year and set multiple personal best times. He was also a member of the four-program record breaking relay teams alongside Haugen, Good, and Austin Reed. Pedersen was a part of the Quakers All-OAC 800 Yard Freestyle Relay team, which finished second and the 400 Yard Medley Relay Team that finished third in the OAC Championships. He finished 6th in the 200 Yard Breaststroke, 7th in the 200 Yard Individual Medley, and 8th in the 200 Yard Freestyle at the OAC Championships. Pedersen was named OAC Swimmer of the Week on November 4th, 2024, CSC Academic All-District, and Academic All-OAC.
 
Parker Basener had a highly successful freshman season with the Quakers. He appeared in eight meets and set many personal best times. Basener set a new program record in the 400 Yard Individual Medley (4:13.09) and finished 4th in the 400 Yard IM at the OAC Championships. He also finished 5th in the 200 Yard Breaststroke at the OAC Championships.
 
Schedule Notes
 
The Quakers begin the 2025-2026 season tomorrow at 1:00 pm against Baldwin Wallace University.
 
Their first home meet is on Friday, October 24th, at 6:00 pm against Ohio Northern University.
 
The team travels to Delaware, Ohio to compete in the weekend-long Corbiere-Merion Invitational, beginning on Saturday, November 22.
 
Wilmington's Senior Night and final regular season competition is on Saturday, January 31st, at 1:00 pm against Manchester University.
 
The OAC Conference Championships begin on Wednesday, February 18th and conclude on Saturday, February 21st.