George Washington Swim Teams Started 2026-2027 Preparation
The programs added new athletes to their rosters ahead of the upcoming competitive season.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Swimming
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The George Washington University swimming and diving teams have begun preparations for the 2026-2027 season. The program added five new swimmers and one female diver to bolster their rosters.
Why it matters
The men's team enters the season seeking to defend their six-year streak as Atlantic 10 champions. Simultaneously, the women's team aims to reclaim the conference title they lost to Richmond last February.
The men's team successfully defended their conference title for six consecutive years. Last season, Holden Thomas placed 48th in the 100-yard backstroke at the NCAA Championships, while Ava Topolewski finished 39th in the 1650-yard freestyle.
The players
Holden Thomas
He is a collegiate swimmer who represented the team at the March NCAA Championships.
Ava Topolewski
She is a collegiate swimmer who competed in the 1650-yard freestyle at the national level.
Efe Isler
He is a swimmer for the program who recently set exhibition meet records.
The details
The teams are currently utilizing the Smith Center pool for training and intrasquad exhibitions to build chemistry. During recent training, Efe Isler set new meet records in the 300-yard butterfly and 600-yard freestyle events.
Timeline
The regular season begins on October 3, 2026, against William and Mary and the Navy.
The teams will compete against the United States Naval Academy on October 28, 2026.
The A-10 Championship is scheduled for February 2027 in Hampton, Virginia.
Season Trajectory
The program's performance this year will determine its standing for the upcoming A-10 Championship in February. The addition of new athletes is a strategic move to regain the conference crown after the women's team finished second last year.
The team's success in these early meets will influence their seeding for the A-10 Championship. Athletes like Holden Thomas and Ava Topolewski will be key contributors to maintaining point totals necessary for postseason qualification.
The takeaway
The team is balancing the development of a new roster with the high expectations of a historic six-year winning streak. Consistent performance in the upcoming October meets will be crucial for building momentum toward the February championship.
What happens next
The teams are scheduled to face the College of William and Mary on October 3, 2026, and the United States Naval Academy on October 28, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on university athletics, visit the Swimming section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The GW Hatchet.
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