Washington, D.C., September 11, 2025
News Summary
George Washington University has announced 19 new student-athletes joining its men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams for the upcoming season. The recruits come from diverse backgrounds and include numerous championship titles and international competition experience. Head Coach Chico Rego expresses pride in this talented class, aiming for a fifth consecutive title sweep in the Atlantic 10 Championship. The program underscores its commitment to fostering competitive excellence and building a globally representative team.
Washington, D.C. — George Washington University (GWU) has announced the addition of 19 new student-athletes to its men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams for the 2025-26 season. This announcement follows the university’s goal to secure a fifth consecutive title sweep in the Atlantic 10 Championship, reinforcing their competitive spirit and commitment to excellence in collegiate athletics.
Head Coach Chico Rego, who is entering his first season with the Colonials, expressed pride in the new recruits, marking the incoming class as a significant milestone for the program. The athletes include a mix of seasoned competitors with a variety of achievements, such as conference scoring times and participation in international events, including the Olympics.
Incoming Athletes Overview
The following athletes outline the depth and talent joining GWU:
- Alessandro Borsato: First-Year from Montebelluna, Italy, specializes in Breaststroke and holds the title of the 2023 Italian Junior Champion.
- Andres Brooks: First-Year from Austin, Texas, competes in Butterfly/IM and is a 5-time NISCA All-American and member of the Puerto Rican National Team.
- Jadin Brown: First-Year from Berkeley, California, a Diver who has qualified for state competitions and ranked 16th in California.
- Christian Dantey: First-Year from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, excels in Freestyle/Breaststroke and is a Junior National Qualifier.
- Owen Fritts: First-Year from Isle of Palms, South Carolina, recognized for Sprint Freestyle and a 10-time SCHSL State Champion.
- Talya Erdogan: First-Year from Turkey, Distance swimmer and qualifier for the 2025 World Junior Open Water Championships.
- Julia Gomez Carpi: First-Year from Brazil, specializes in Breaststroke/IM, awarded as the 2023 Junior Brazilian Champion.
- Mia Hren: First-Year from Croatia, excels in Freestyle, named as National Swimming Champion 2024.
- Sophia Lord: First-Year from New York, recognized for Butterfly/IM, a 2-time state qualifier, and high school MVP.
- Ellie Lydon: First-Year from Chattanooga, Tennessee, specializes in IM, a State champion and 2-time relay All-American.
- Joselle Mensah: Graduate Student from Lindenwood, Germany, Sprint swimmer set to compete as a 2024 Paris Olympian.
- Christian Merturi: First-Year from New Jersey, Divers who has achieved the title of 2025 NJSIAA Diving State Champion.
- Heitor Napolitano Fonseca Reis: First-Year from Brazil, specializes in Butterfly/IM and has won medals at Brazilian Senior National Championships.
- Marcella Orlandini: First-Year from Miami, Florida, Sprint Freestyle swimmer, who has been nominated for Girls Swimmer of the Year.
- Matija Radjenovic: Sophomore from Serbia focusing on Breaststroke/IM, joined the team in spring 2025.
- Artur Tobler: Sophomore from Estonia, specializes in IM/Butterfly and played a key role in securing the A-10 team title.
- Merve Tuncel: Sophomore from Turkey, a Distance Freestyle swimmer who placed 6th in the 800M freestyle at the European Aquatics Championships.
- Logan Watson-Brown: Graduate Student from Bermuda focusing on Backstroke/Freestyle, recognized on the 4x SEC Honor Roll.
- Eldad Zamir: First-Year from Israel, specializing in Breaststroke and achieving 12 titles as an Israeli National Champion.
In addition to the current incoming class, the program has also confirmed that Efe Isler, a distance freestyler from Turkey, will be joining the 2026 class. Isler has demonstrated promising performance metrics that are expected to significantly contribute to the team’s future success.
Background Context
The George Washington University Swimming and Diving teams are part of the larger Atlantic 10 Conference, which has been recognized for its competitiveness and athletic excellence. With this new class of recruits, GWU aims to build upon its strong tradition of success, which includes multiple championships and numerous accolades in both individual and team competitions. The inclusion of diverse talent from not only the United States but also international competitors showcases the program’s commitment to cultivating a well-rounded and elite swimming and diving team.
FAQ
- When does the 2025-26 swim season start? The season typically starts in the fall, aligning with the academic calendar.
- How many athletes are joining George Washington University’s swimming and diving teams? A total of 19 student-athletes are joining GWU for the 2025-26 season.
- What is the Atlantic 10 Championship? The Atlantic 10 Championship is an annual athletic competition held among conference teams, with various sports including swimming and diving.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total New Athletes | 19 |
| Head Coach | Chico Rego |
| Top Achievements Among Recruits | Conference Champions, Olympians, State Champions, National Team Members |
| Goal for 2025-26 Season | Sweep Atlantic 10 Championship titles |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- George Washington University Women’s Swimming and Diving News
- SwimSwam: Efe Isler Verbals to GWU
- GW Men’s Swimming and Diving Academic Achievements
- Google Search: George Washington University Swimming 2025
- Wikipedia: Atlantic 10 Conference
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
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