CHICAGO, Ill. – The Blugolds swimming and diving teams competed against a deep field of Division III programs at the 2026 D3 Shootout on Nov. 6-7 in Chicago. UWEC women finished eighth with 449 points, while the men also placed eighth with 445 points. Pomona-Pitzer claimed the women's team title with 640 points, while the University of Chicago won the men's competition with 705 points.
The unique meet format featured 10 teams competing with a limited roster of eight swimmers and one diver per gender. Each team used its selected athletes to fill every individual event and relay, requiring versatility across all four strokes, sprint events and distance races. Several programs competing at the meet had finished among the top 10 at the NCAA Division III Championships.
On the women's side, Anwen Smith recorded lifetime-best times in both the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.39) and 200-yard butterfly (2:09.16). Both performances currently rank as the fastest times in the WIAC this season. Smith also contributed to a strong weekend for the Blugolds alongside Emma Vogen, who posted a 500-yard freestyle time of 5:09.02, currently the top time in the conference. Linnea Brandt added a 500 freestyle time of 5:14.02 and recorded a lifetime best of 4:38.90 in the 400-yard individual medley on Friday, which also leads the WIAC. Brandt's 200-yard individual medley time of 2:12.94 is currently the fastest in the conference. Erika Schroeder also posted a lifetime best in the 200 freestyle, finishing in 1:56.70.
In women's diving, Sierra Jones placed eighth in both the one-meter and three-meter events. Jones scored 328.45 points on the one-meter board and 293.20 points on the three-meter board.
For the men, Everett Hodorowski recorded a lifetime-best time of 21.10 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle on Friday, which currently leads the WIAC. Hodorowski also posted a time of 51.56 in the 100-yard butterfly. Drew Testin recorded a time of 46.37 in the 100-yard freestyle, the fastest mark in the conference this season. Gabe Lenzen posted a time of 1:57.92 in the 200-yard individual medley, while Carter O'Leary finished the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:14.87. O'Leary also recorded a lifetime best in the 400-yard individual medley (4:19.12). Grant McElwain added a lifetime-best time of 1:41.96 in the 200 freestyle, while Derek Stadheim posted a lifetime best of 1:55.47 in the 200 butterfly.
In men's diving, Charlie Nohner placed seventh in both the one-meter and three-meter events. Nohner scored 365.50 points on the one-meter board and 379.60 points on the three-meter board.
The Blugolds will return to action on Friday, Nov. 13, hosting St. Cloud State at the McPhee Center Pool in Eau Claire, Wis. Diving is scheduled to begin at noon, followed by swimming at 5 p.m.
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