Swimming and Diving Set to Open Season with Tri-Meet at Rochester

Tri-Meet No. 1
At Rochester/Siena
Date: Oct. 17 | 12 p.m./1 p.m.
Location: Speegle-Wilbraham Aquatics Center

The Canisius men's and women's swimming and diving teams open the 2026-27 regular season Saturday with a tri-meet against Rochester and Siena.

The Golden Griffins will face Rochester at noon before taking on Siena at 1 p.m. at the Speegle-Wilbraham Aquatics Center in Rochester, N.Y.

In his 19th season at the helm of the program, head coach Scott Vanderzell welcomes back 38 swimmers while bringing in 15 new faces to the program for 2026-27.

The Canisius men return 23 swimmers from last season's squad, with seniors Aidan Domster and Mark Wittmann and junior Rhys Insley serving as team captains for the 2026-27 campaign.

Domster competed in all 10 meets last season, recording career-best times in the 200 and 1,650 free at the MAAC Championships. Wittmann, who also served as a team captain last season, appeared in all 10 meets and posted a career-best time in the 200 free at the conference championships. Insley competed in nine meets, earning five podium finishes, including a second-place finish in the 100 breast at St. Bonaventure on Nov. 7. He also recorded personal-best times in the 100 and 200 breast at the MAAC Championships.

On the women's side, the Golden Griffins return 15 swimmers from last season, with seniors Cassandra Ercoli, Mia McDonnell and Leyna Swanson named team captains for the 2026-27 season.

Ercoli competed in all 10 meets last season and recorded 11 podium finishes. She highlighted her campaign by sweeping the 100 and 200 breast in the dual meet at Rider on Jan. 10, earning individual victories in both events. McDonnell also appeared in all 10 meets, collecting six top-five finishes and recording personal-best times in the 100 and 200 free at the UB Invite on Nov. 22.

Swanson competed in all 10 meets last season, recording four individual podium finishes. She also helped the Griffs secure relay victories, contributing to the winning 400 free relay at Marist on Oct. 11 and swimming the fly leg of the winning 200 medley relay during Canisius' lone tri-meet of the season on Oct. 18.

UP NEXT
Canisius returns to action Oct. 24 with a meet with non-conference foe Geneseo. Racing gets underway at noon at the Burt Flickinger Center in Buffalo, N.Y.

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Players Mentioned

Aidan Domster: 6' 0"; Junior

Cassandra Ercoli: 5' 5"; Junior

Rhys Insley: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Mia McDonnell: 5' 5"; Junior

Leyna Swanson: 5' 5"; Junior

Mark Wittmann: 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Aidan Domster
: 6' 0"; Junior

Cassandra Ercoli
: 5' 5"; Junior

Rhys Insley
: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Mia McDonnell
: 5' 5"; Junior

Leyna Swanson
: 5' 5"; Junior

Mark Wittmann
: 5' 11"; Junior