MIDWAY, Ky. -- Both Midway Men's and Women's Swimming teams will open their 2026-27 campaigns with a home meet against West Virginia University Institute of Technology on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Both programs are coming off successful 2025-26 seasons that saw numerous school records broken and multiple swimmers reach national qualifying standards.
Under the leadership of head coach Armstrong, the two programs have combined to break 42 of the 46 school records over the past three seasons.
WOMEN'S SEASON OUTLOOK
The women's team is coming off a fourth-place finish at the Mid-South Conference (MSC) Women's Swimming Championships, where the Eagles scored 371 points.
Josie Briner returns for her senior season after another historic year in the pool. Briner finished 11th nationally in the 200-yard butterfly at the 2026 NAIA Women's Swimming and Diving National Championships, reaching the finals in the event for the third consecutive year.
Briner also set four Midway women's individual records last season in the 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard butterfly, 1000-yard freestyle and 400-yard individual medley. She was also a member of all five record-setting relay teams.
Kaelynn Martin and Sydney Eastman return after qualifying for the 2026 NAIA Women's Swimming and Diving National Championships. Both swimmers were also members of the five record-setting relay teams alongside Briner.
Martin recorded the best individual finish in program history at the MSC Women's Swimming Championships, helping lead the Eagles to their fourth-place finish. Martin, Briner and Eastman each achieved three national qualifying cuts during the conference championships.
Pamela Ramires also returns for her sophomore season after contributing to all five record-setting relay teams last year.
The Eagles will also welcome several newcomers who could make an immediate impact. Karen Hoefler and Caleigh Schotting are two swimmers to watch as they begin their Midway careers.
With a strong group of returning national qualifiers and promising newcomers, the Eagles will look to build on last season's conference championship performance.
MEN'S SEASON OUTLOOK
The men's team enters the 2026-27 season after finishing sixth at the MSC Men's Swimming Championships last year with 232 points.
Caique Nunes Maia returns for his second season after a record-breaking freshman campaign. Nunes Maia established Midway records in the 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 1650-yard freestyle events.
He also broke the school record in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:37.87.
At the MSC Men's Swimming Championships, Nunes Maia achieved three national qualifying cuts, including a national "B" cut, but did not receive an invitation to compete at the NAIA National Championships.
David Roach also returns after setting the Midway men's record in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:03.17.
The Eagles rewrote their relay record book last season, breaking all five school relay records. Nunes Maia and Roach were members of those record-setting teams alongside returning swimmers Rider Burton and Jalen Wright.
Midway will also look for contributions from several newcomers this season. Jackson Brown and Awstyn Luff are two swimmers to watch as they begin their collegiate careers.
With several record holders returning to the pool, the Eagles will look to continue their improvement and climb the conference standings.
BUILDING A RECORD-BREAKING PROGRAM
Both Midway swimming programs have experienced significant growth under head coach Armstrong.
Over the past three seasons, the men's and women's teams have combined to break 42 of the 46 school records, highlighting the progress made by both programs.
Last season alone, both teams established new school records in all five relay events, while several individuals added their names to the Midway record books.
The Eagles will look to carry that momentum into the 2026-27 season, beginning Saturday against WVU Tech.
ABOUT MIDWAY UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Midway University competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and its 29 athletics teams are part of the River States Conference, Mid-South Conference, the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, and USA Archery. For more information about Midway University Athletics, please visit www.gomidwayeagles.com or contact Tyler Beck at 859-846-5366.
