On Jan. 25, Lewis & Clark men’s and women’s swim teams competed in their final regular season meet, a weekend event at Zehntbauer Swimming Pavilion. The competition marked both teams’ senior nights, where four men and three women were honored for their time on their respective swim teams, as they approach the end of their collegiate swimming careers.
Senior nights are celebrated mainly in high school and college sports, where athletes in their final years are invited to reflect on their time at their school and on their team. Speeches are either given by the athletes in question or read by an announcer, and teams recognize their teammates for their abilities and presence as a peer and fellow athlete. Traditionally, these events are held at the last home meet of the season.
For LC’s senior night, traditions were melded with some particular Pio flair. Seniors Isaac Anderson, Claire Baco, Ian Holmberg, Josephine Mann, Aidan Ringel, Micah Rysavy and women’s team captain Ella Stephan shared reflections on their academic, athletic and personal careers at LC, which were read by the meet’s announcer.
As each team member’s biography was read aloud, they traveled through a human tunnel of their teammates on the pool deck to receive a bouquet of flowers and handshakes from their coaching staff. Pacific Lutheran University’s swimmers, while not honoring their seniors, joined the human tunnel to recognize their opponents and peers.
In an interview with The Mossy Log, Ringel reflected on his time swimming at LC.
“LC swim has given me daily structure, a physical outlet, opportunities to travel and the foundation of my friend group,” Ringel said. “Being a part of a group of people who can come together over hard work and dedication to splashing in the water is really special. I will carry with me the commitment to my craft and the friendly reminder to relax once in a while and not let things get too deep.”
The festivities of senior night continued throughout the meet. Breaks between heats included fun facts and takeaways the seniors shared with the announcer, as well as a raffle for family and fans in attendance.
LC Athletics at-large also came out in support of the swim team, as the event was declared an Orange Out (where students from other sports show up to meets or games wearing orange in support of their fellow athletes.)
“It was a wonderful show of support from family and friends, and we all enjoyed the time and effort that our teammates, coaches, athletic staff and spectators put into the event!” Stephan said. “We will certainly miss this team, but we are so grateful for the experience of competing in DIII athletics at Lewis & Clark.”
The meet was a particular success for the men’s team — they won eight out of 11 events, sweeping the meet with a score of 109 to Pacific Lutheran’s 91. Rysavy, as well as Ezra Billings ’26, won two events apiece.
The women’s team did not win their overall meet, respectively, scoring 83 to Pacific Lutheran’s 109. Swimmers Elise Barton ’26 and Angie Cummings ’27 netted three of four wins for the women’s team.
While the regular season is over, LC will be competing in the 2025 Northwest Conference Championship in Federal Way, Washington on Feb. 13-16.
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