The women’s swimming and diving team has quietly developed into a nationally known program.

Winners of 21 consecutive conference championships, the team has experienced an era of success. 

Last season, the team produced numerous individual highlights, as well as conference champions and awards.

Highlighting the season was junior Takara Martin, who set a new OU record in the individual 200 breaststroke. The 800 freestyle relay team set a new program record with a time of 7:21.44, while the 200-medley relay team set a school record with a time of 1:41.32.

The 200-medley relay team and the 400 freestyle relay team also set records last season.

This coming season, the team will be led by a core of experienced swimmers.

The strongest part of the team’s lineups exists in its medley and breaststroke events, as the athletes are  very deep and talented. 

Nikki Flynn, Patricia Aschan, Takara Martin, Rachel Waite, Holly Morren and Arynn de Leeuw will be leading the Golden Grizzlies this season.

“Once again, we have assembled a very diverse and talented group of athletes that work extremely hard to be one of the best programs, not only in the Horizon League, but in the state and in Division I,” assistant coach Shawn Kornoelje said. “Our athletes take a lot of pride in wearing the bear in the pool, on campus and throughout the community.”

These six swimmers, along with the other 15 girls on the roster, will look to build on the long streak of conference championships and individual award nominations.

Though losing a couple seniors from last year’s roster, the team remains poised to continue how they left off last season.

“At the end of each season in our individual meetings with our athletes, we challenge them to better themselves over the summer to be just a little bit better than they were the previous season,” Kornoelje said.

“If each athlete works on becoming  more fit, stronger, and more efficient when it comes to stroke mechanics, and faster by working out and competing at home throughout the summer, the team will reap the benefits come February.”

The team is one of the favorites once again to win a 22nd straight conference championship, and the athletes and coaches believe they have the talent to do so.