The VMI men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams concluded the 2024–25 season with strong performances at the America East Championships at Goodall Pool Feb. 22, 2025. Both teams showcased their talent with several record-breaking performances and impressive finishes. For the men, Stephen Russell’s record-breaking swims in the 1,000 and 1,650 freestyles and Sam Castle’s silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke stood out as major highlights. Matthew Picard also earned a bronze in the 100-meter freestyle, setting a new team record. On the women’s side, Mackenzie Byrne set a new rat and team record in the 100-meter freestyle, while Isabelle Haer became the highest-placing freshman in VMI history in diving. Overall, the men’s team finished in fifth place with 378 points, while the women placed seventh with 112 points, capping off a competitive and record-setting championship for the Keydets.
Men’s Results:
Day 1:
- 800 Freestyle Relay:
- Team: Jack Mills, Matthew Picard, Stephen Russell, Sam Castle
- Result: 3rd place with a time of 6:36.19 (team record)
- 200 Medley Relay:
- Team: Picard, Castle, Layne Tucker, Max Brunner
- Result: 1st place with a time of 1:29.10 (team record)
- 200 Backstroke:
- Sam Castle: 7th place with a time of 1:51.02 (new team record)
- Sam Calder: 9th place with a time of 1:51.75
- 100 Freestyle (Prelims):
- Matthew Picard: 15th place in the 100 freestyle (set a new team record)
- 200 Breaststroke:
- Austin Reeder: 10th place with a time of 2:04.28
- Layne Tucker: 12th place with a time of 2:05.75
- 200 Butterfly:
- Kayleb Eldridge: 10th place with a time of 1:51.53
- Caleb Wolf: 12th place with a time of 1:52.63
- Brayden Green: 16th place with a time of 1:56.06
- 400 Freestyle Relay:
- Team: Mills, Picard, Castle, Calder
- Result: 4th place with a time of 2:58.21 (team record)
Day 2:
- 500 Freestyle:
- Stephen Russell: 7th place with a time of 4:30.65 (broke both the rat and team records)
- 200 IM:
- Jack Mills: 5th place with a time of 1:50.36 (broke the rat record)
- 50 Freestyle:
- Matthew Picard: 15th place
- Sam Castle: 16th place
- Diving (3-meter):
- Lane Jones: 10th place with a score of 238.15 points
- Ryder Creal: 14th place with a score of 203.05 points
Day 3:
- 100 Backstroke:
- Sam Castle: 2nd place with a time of 48.50 (set a new team record; 48.63 in prelims)
- 200 Freestyle:
- Jack Mills: 7th place with a time of 1:37.75 (broke both rat and team records)
- 400 IM:
- Ethan Griffith: 5th place with a time of 3:59.82
- 400 Medley Relay:
- Team: Castle, Tucker, Max Brunner, Matthew Picard
- Result: 1st place with a time of 3:18.01 (team record)
- Diving (1-meter):
- Lane Jones: 10th place with a score of 211.50 points
Day 4:
- 100 Freestyle:
- Matthew Picard: 3rd place with a time of 44.48 (new team record)
- 1,000 Freestyle:
- Stephen Russell: 6th place with a time of 9:29.84 (set new team and rat records)
- 1,650 Freestyle:
- Stephen Russell: 6th place with a time of 15:49.01 (set new team and rat records)
- 200 Butterfly:
- Jack Mills: 5th place with a time of 1:48.73
- 200 Breaststroke:
- Ethan Griffith: 5th place with a time of 2:00.95
Women’s Results:
The Keydets set multiple team records during the American East Championships at Goodall Pool.—Photo courtesy VMI Athletics.
Day 1:
- 200 Medley Relay:
- Team: Walden Wilder, Mackenzie Byrne, Noelle Tong, Emerson Cosner
- Result: 1st place with a time of 1:48.53 (team record)
- Diving (1-meter):
- Isabelle Haer: 11th place with a score of 199.20 points
- Diving (3-meter):
- Isabelle Haer: 11th place with a score of 199.60 points
- 200 Backstroke:
- Noelle Tong: 14th place with a time of 58.95
- 400 Freestyle Relay:
- Team: Mackenzie Byrne, Walden Wilder, Ava Phillips, Noelle Tong
- Result: Broke the team record with a strong finish
Day 2:
- 50 Freestyle:
- Mackenzie Byrne: 16th place with a time of 24.39
- Diving (3-meter):
- Lane Jones: 10th place with a score of 238.15 points
- Diving (1-meter):
- Isabelle Haer: 10th place with a score of 211.50 points
- 200 Breaststroke:
- Layne Tucker: 12th place with a time of 2:05.75
- Austin Reeder: 15th place with a time of 2:04.28
Day 3:
- 100 Backstroke:
- Noelle Tong: 14th place with a time of 58.95
- 100 Butterfly:
- Mackenzie Byrne: 18th place
- 100 Breaststroke:
- Walden Wilder: 22nd place with a time of 1:08.58
- Layne Tucker: 12th place
- Austin Reeder: 15th place
- 200 Freestyle:
- Picard, Calder, Russell: 10th, 12th, and 16th place respectively
- 200 Butterfly:
- Brunner, Wolf, Joshua Wolf: 9th, 14th, and 16th places respectively
- 400 Medley Relay:
- Team: Ava Phillips, Walden Wilder, Noelle Tong, Mackenzie Byrne
- Result: 1st place with a time of 4:01.28 (team record)
Day 4:
- 100 Freestyle:
- Mackenzie Byrne: 17th place with a time of 52.85 (new rat and team record)
- Diving (1-meter):
- Isabelle Haer: 10th place with a score of 211.50 points
- 200 Breaststroke:
- Layne Tucker: 12th place with a time of 2:05.75
- Austin Reeder: 15th place with a time of 2:04.28
Final Standings:
- Men’s Final Score: 378 points (5th place)
- Women’s Final Score: 112 points (7th place)
Editor’s Note: This article was first published on vmikeydets.com.
