The Howard University men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams closed the 2025–2026 season this past Saturday in sights for the Northeast Conference (NEC) Swimming & Diving Championships, competing against the league’s top programs while continuing to build the national profile of Division I’s only Historically Black Colleges and Universities swimming program.
Competing at the NEC championship venue in the Spire Aquatics Center located in Geneva, Ohio, the Bison entered the meet with momentum built throughout the season and a clear focus on growth, execution and representation. For Howard, the conference championships serve not only as a culmination of months of preparation but also as an opportunity to measure progress against established programs within the NEC.
“This meet is always about showing how far we’ve come,” head coach Nicholas Askew said. “Our athletes prepared the right way all season, and this championship is where that work shows up.”
Across the three-day meet, Howard’s progress was evident in several areas, particularly through improved individual times, stronger relay exchanges and consistent competitiveness in preliminary heats. On both the men’s and women’s sides, swimmers advanced from the preliminary races into finals, gaining valuable postseason experience while racing against some of the conference’s top talent.
Senior swimmer Eryn Levy emphasized the team’s mindset entering the championship weekend, noting that confidence played a major role in Howard’s performance.
“We came in confident,” Levy said. “We knew the work we put in during the fall and winter, and the goal was to race our best when it mattered most.”
Relay events once again proved to be a strength for the Bison, as Howard leaned on chemistry and trust developed over the course of the season. The team’s energy on deck remained high throughout past meets, with swimmers actively supporting one another through every heat and final. That unity, coaches say, has become a defining characteristic of the program.
Freshman Kaelyn Mitchell described the anticipation of competing in her first conference championship as both demanding and rewarding.
“It’s intense, but it’s exciting,” Mitchell said. “Having the whole team behind you makes you feel like you’re racing for something bigger than just yourself.”
That collective energy reflects a culture built on accountability and pride — values Askew believes define Howard swimming and diving. As the program continues to grow, athletes are expected to embrace both the competitive and cultural responsibility that comes with representing the university.
“Our athletes understand what it means to wear Howard across their chest,” Askew said. “They’re representing their families, this university, and a community that doesn’t always see itself in this sport.”
As the only HBCU competing at the Division I level in swimming and diving, Howard’s presence at the NEC Championships carries significance beyond final placements. Each race contributes to increased visibility for the program and helps strengthen recruiting efforts, opening doors for future student-athletes who may not have previously seen themselves reflected in the sport.
Junior swimmer Mason Green said competing on a conference stage carries extra meaning for Howard athletes.
“We know people are watching,” Green said. “Being here shows that Black athletes belong in every space in college sports — including swimming.”
While the NEC Championships mark the end of the competitive season, the meet will also lay the foundation for the future of the program. Younger swimmers gained crucial postseason experience, while veteran athletes closed their seasons racing at full intensity. The lessons learned in Washington will shape offseason training and preparation moving forward.
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