Wittenberg women’s swimming and diving team finishes undefeated for first time in program history

The Wittenberg University men's and women's swimming and diving teams enjoyed a special Senior Day with a pair of dual meet victories over Heidelberg.

The Tiger women celebrated the careers of three teammates competing in their final home dual competitions: Addy Payne (Sidney, Ohio / Sidney),  Jenna Hallett (Delta, Ohio / Delta), and Macy DeHart (Springfield, Ohio / Kenton Ridge), in addition to student coach, Morgan Phillips. The Tiger women defeated the Student Princes with a score of 205-79. With a win of 114-25 the Tiger men improved to a season record of 4-5, compared to 2-7 last year.  

Wittenberg's women improved to 9-0 on the 2024-25 season with the dominating performance, becoming the first team in program history to finish undefeated in dual meets for an entire season.

Individually, Wittenberg swept the top spot in every women's race. Annie Gammon (Cincinnati, Ohio / Cincinnati Country Day) won three individual events (200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 300 breaststroke). With today's season win, Teagan O'Connor (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Carroll) finished the dual meet season undefeated in her individual events. She finished the season with three more wins on the day (200 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay, 200 yard IM).  

Sophie Paskiet (Toledo, Ohio / St. Ursula) also swam a leg on the 200 medley relay, in addition to claiming the top spot in the 100 butterfly. Shania Stone (Cincinnati, Ohio / Princeton) swam a leg of the 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay, and she capped her day with a gold medal in the 100 free.

McKenna Clark (Waynesville, Ohio / Carroll) also had two wins on the day as she touched first in the 500 free and participated in the 200 free relay. Rounding out the individual winners for the Tigers were Payne in the 1000 free, and Allison Browning (Hillsboro, Ohio / Hillsboro) in the 100 backstroke.

For Wittenberg's men, the stars of the show were Mason Steen (Leroy, Ohio / Riverside) and Andrew Tackett (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary). Steen's individual wins came in the 200 free and 100 back. He also participated in the first-place 200 relay with Orry Farrington (Waterville, Ohio / Anthony Wayne), Owen Gabel (New Breman, OH  / New Breman), and Nathan Rabun ( Marion, Ohio / Wynford). Tacket's individual wins were in the 500 free and 1000 free. Other men with individual wins on the day include Tre Wynn (Columbus, Ohio / New Albany), in the 50 free, Ethan Towle (Centerville, Ohio / Centerville) in the 100 breast and Aiden Dannenfelser (Cincinnati, Ohio / St. Xavier) in the 200 IM.

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.