The 2024-2025 season for the Loyola Swimming and Diving program is off to a great start. Both the Men’s and Women’s team swept in a meet against the Lafayette Leopards in Easton, Pennsylvania. With the Men’s team coming off a strong season last year, having finished in third place in the Patriot Leagues, they come into this year’s competitions looking to build off of this success. So far, they have picked up wins against Patriot League rivals Lafayette and American and garnered a non-conference win against George Mason. Patrick Hayburn ’25 is optimistic for the year.
“I’m really excited to see what the team can bring to the table this season in the Patriot League,” Hayburn said.
Hayburn has had a promising start to the season, helping the 200m freestyle relay team set a record in their Lafayette race.
“This is one of the best teams that I have been around and it feels like we can make a serious run this year for the Patriot League.” Hayburn’s teammate Michael Venit ‘25 said.
This sense of excitement surrounding the Men’s team is something they have felt for a long time. The program has been trending in recent years after staying stagnant for years prior. The feeling amongst and around the team is that they can make a serious push for the conference title.
As for the Women’s team, after finishing in sixth place in last season’s Patriot League finals, they have now positioned themselves to have a better year than last. With these first two good meets, they are poised to make a solid run for the conference as well.
Outside of looking forward to the end goal of winning the Patriot League, both teams had a home meet from Oct. 25 to Oct. 27 against other Maryland teams like Towson, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), and Mount St. Mary’s. The three Baltimore teams plus another Maryland team meet here in an annual meet. Both of Loyola’s teams looked forward to the challenge, for this was the first time they raced against UMBC.
“I know [UMBC is] a fast team,” graduate student Lily Mead said.
She also noted the team’s progression in her time here.
“My sophomore year, we beat Towson at this meet, so we know they are hungry for more,” Mead said.
“It will be a more fun race because they have obtained an old swimmer of ours,” swimmer Charley Tulio ‘25 said.
Tulio also mentioned that a coach of the Loyola team used to swim at Towson.
Both teams are embarking on what is shaping out to be a great season. Going forward, they are looking to win and succeed in a majority of their meets throughout the year. Starting in the middle of October, it is a long season, but it is nothing that the Greyhounds are not ready for. The consensus around the team is that this season will be a good one.
