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Iowa Western Reivers
Brooke Given
January 27, 2026

Reivers Open 2026 With Three Straight Weeks of Racing, Dominant Wins, and Four New School Records

The Iowa Western Reiver Swimming & Diving program launched into 2026 with a demanding three-week block of competition—January 10, January 17, and January 24. Facing NCAA Division III, NAIA, and top community college programs, the Reivers showcased depth, resilience, and championship-caliber racing. The opening month produced standout swims across all strokes and distances, along with four new school records.

January 10 – Nebraska Wesleyan / College of Saint Mary Tri/Dual

Iowa Western opened the year on the road at Nebraska Wesleyan's Weary Natatorium.

Men's Meet: NWU 114, IWCC 86

The men stayed competitive throughout the meet with several key performances, including:

  • Sam Brunel, winner of the 1000 freestyle (10:04.07) and runner-up in the 100 fly (53.59).
  • Bernat Marsol, champion in the 100 back (54.19).
  • Jimmy Koch, winner of the 50 free (22.12).
  • A close 2nd-place finish in the 200 Free Relay (1:29.16).

Women's Meet: NWU 135, IWCC 39, CSM 31

The women gained valuable early-season racing experience with several strong swims:

January 17 – Community College Quad Meet

Back home for the quad meet, Iowa Western delivered one of its strongest all-around performances of the season, sweeping all three opponents.

Team Results

Men

  • IWCC 184, Iowa Lakes 55
  • IWCC 179, Iowa Central 78
  • IWCC 165, Barton 84

Women

  • IWCC 161, Iowa Lakes 25
  • IWCC 165, Iowa Central 24
  • IWCC 158, Barton 41

Meet Highlights

  • Both men's and women's 200 Medley Relays won to open the meet.
  • Sammy Díaz won both the 1000 free (11:30.40) and 500 free (5:28.94).
  • Sam Brunel won the men's 500 free (4:40.66).
  • Onye Onovo swept the 50 fly (28.30) and 100 free (57.97).
  • Bernat Marsol dominated the men's 50 fly (22.15).
  • Kaylee Johnson won the women's 50 breaststroke (35.31) and 100 IM (1:08.25).
  • Allison Elings won the 100 butterfly (1:05.47).

School Record – Men's 50 Breaststroke

  • Vinicius Oliveira broke the school record in the 50 breaststroke, swimming 26.99, the fastest in program history.

January 24 – Midland University Dual Meet

In their third straight week of competition, the Reivers battled a powerful Midland squad. Despite Midland taking the combined score 203–169, Iowa Western delivered multiple statement swims — including three more school records.

Sprint Highlights

  • Onye Onovo placed 2nd in the 50 free (26.07), followed by Sammy Díaz and Allison Elings.
  • Ryan Lane (21.96) and Jimmy Koch (22.06) led the men with top-four finishes.

Stroke Event Standouts

  • Brooke Given won the women's 200 fly (2:42.92).
  • Bernat Marsol won the men's 200 fly (1:56.88).
  • Jen Kidder and Emily Walters went 1–2 in the women's 200 back.
  • Cesar Guerrero placed 2nd in a highly competitive 200 back (2:01.07).
  • Strong breaststroke contributions from Vinicius Oliveira and Jeremias Fernandez.

Distance Dominance

  • Sammy Díaz won the women's 500 free (5:24.07).
  • Sam Brunel claimed the men's 500 free (4:39.07), followed by strong results from Jimmy Koch and Cesar Guerrero.

Relay Battle

Iowa Western's men and women both finished 2nd in tightly contested 400 Medley Relays — with times among the fastest of the season.

School Records Broken During January

The Reivers rewrote the record board four times during their opening stretch of 2026:

Women

  • 200 Backstroke – Jen Kidder, 2:29.64 (Jan. 24 at Midland)
    New IWCC school record

Men

  • 200 Backstroke – Cesar Manuel Guerrero Vivas, 2:01.07 (Jan. 24 at Midland)
    New IWCC school record
  • 50 Breaststroke – Vinicius Oliveira, 26.99 (Jan. 17 Quad Meet)
    New IWCC school record
  • 50 Butterfly – Bernat Marsol, 22.00 (Jan. 24 at Midland)
    New IWCC school record

A Strong Start to Championship Season Preparation

Across three straight weekends of racing, the Reivers showcased depth, consistency, and upward momentum. With multiple meet victories, breakout performances, and four new program records, Iowa Western enters the championship season with confidence and rising energy.