George Washington Swim Teams Started 2026-2027 Season
The Colonials have added new roster talent and set sights on the upcoming Atlantic 10 championships.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Swimming
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The George Washington University swimming and diving teams have officially begun preparations for the 2026-2027 season. After a successful previous year that saw the men's team secure their sixth consecutive title, the program has added five new swimmers and one female diver.
Why it matters
The women's program is specifically focused on reclaiming the Atlantic 10 championship after a second-place finish to Richmond last February. Both teams are also prioritizing consistent training to qualify athletes for the NCAA Championships.
Last season, the men's team won its sixth consecutive Atlantic 10 title, while the women's team placed second. Additionally, Holden Thomas finished 48th and Ava Topolewski finished 39th in their respective events at the March NCAA Championships.
The players
Holden Thomas
A swimmer who placed 48th in the 100-yard backstroke at the March NCAA Championships.
Ava Topolewski
A swimmer who placed 39th in the 1650-yard freestyle at the March NCAA Championships.
The details
The teams use structured intrasquad exhibition meets at the Smith Center pool to gauge fitness and finalize lineup strategies for the regular season. Athletes also engage in group activities like monument walks to build chemistry. These efforts support their objective of securing NCAA qualification for individual swimmers.
Timeline
February 2026: The women's team finished second in the Atlantic 10.
October 3, 2026: The regular season begins against William and Mary and Navy.
October 28, 2026: The teams compete against the Naval Academy.
February 2027: The A-10 Championship is scheduled in Hampton, Virginia.
Health Landscape
The program's training cycle is dictated by the annual Atlantic 10 championship schedule. This rhythm influences how athletes manage peaking for February meets while maintaining their health for NCAA-level qualifying efforts.
Readers interested in high-level athletic training can observe how competitive swimming programs balance team chemistry with intense individual performance goals. It is worth discussing with your own coach or physician how to safely manage training volume during competitive off-seasons.
The takeaway
Maintaining consistent training volume and team cohesion are central to the program's success as they prepare for the 2027 championships. Athletes should focus on progressive load management and regular check-ins with staff to avoid injury while training for season-long goals.
Further reading
For more on local aquatic athletic performance, visit Swimming.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The GW Hatchet.
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