Coming off of a strong showing for both the men's and women's teams last year, the Penn State Altoona swimming program's hopes are high for more success in 2025-26. Each squad brings back a strong core of swimmers from last season while welcoming in some new talent.

In addition to new swimmers on the roster, the Penn State Altoona swim teams will also experience two more changes: a new coach and a new conference. The Lions will be led this season by head coach Brian Hein, who is entering his first year with Penn State Altoona. Additionally, Penn State Altoona swimming has shifted out of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference – which no longer houses men's and women's swimming as a conference championship sport – and into the State University of New York Athletic Conference.

Men's Preview:

The Penn State Altoona men's swimming team had a highly successful 2024-25 season. The Lions posted a 9-1-1 overall record in dual meets during the regular season, setting the program's single-season wins record for duals. The team then proceeded to finish as the AMCC runner-up in the league's championship meet.

Hein will count on leadership to help sustain the team's success this year.

"We have very strong leadership," he said. "We will lean on that leadership while maintaining what worked and addressing what fell short."

Headlining the Lions' returning swimmers are seniors Adam Dotts (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin), Brian Nguyen (Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township), and Caden Traggiai (Saxonburg, PA/Knoch). Dotts and Traggiai both earned All-AMCC status in several individual freestyle swims and relay events last year, and Nguyen was also a steady point scorer for the team last season.

Penn State Altoona's crop of seven returners is also comprised of four sophomores who were consistent contributors in the lineup last season: Johnathan Bandy (Saint Marys, PA/Saint Marys), Ben Dotts (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin), Shuo Sun (Falls Church, VA/China High Schools), and Nick Trabucco (Carlisle, PA/Boiling Springs). Dotts and Trabucco each picked up an All-AMCC nod for their relay work in the conference finals.

"We have great leadership, particularly with our returning seniors: Adam Dotts, Brian Nguyen, and Caden Traggiai," said Hein. "We expect to get great scoring from them, as well."

The Lions' 15-athlete roster is rounded out by a deep freshman class, consisting of Liam Fass (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley), Jacob Kaleem (Washington, DC/Jackson Reed), Jackson Ketterling (Bismarck, ND/Bismarck), Gabe Krizel (Allentown, PA/Parkland), Mason Maroski (Markleysburg, PA/Uniontown), Lorenzo Nicolini (Lima, Peru/Markham College), Pedro Teran (Allentown, PA/Parkland), and Michael Williams (Lansford, PA/Panther Valley).

"We have a loaded freshman class, and I'm excited about the group as a whole," Hein added.

The Penn State Altoona men's swimming team gets its 2025-26 schedule underway at home on Saturday, October 25, when the Lions will host AMCC opponent Penn State Behrend for a dual meet starting at 1 p.m. After that, the squad has eight more dates of competition throughout November, December, and January before ending the season with the four-day SUNYAC Championships, which open on February 18.

After last year's success, and knowing the potential of this year's roster, Hein believes this year's squad has the ingredients to rise to new heights.

"I have high expectations," he stated. "That is fueled by a core group of proven, record-setting swimmers, a talented freshman class, and a ton of experience."

Women's Preview:

Like the men's team, Penn State Altoona women's swimming also had a very successful 2024-25 campaign. The Lions set the team's single-season dual meet wins record, going 8-4 overall in duals during the regular season. The squad went on to place third in the AMCC Championships to cap the season.

The Lions' roster is highlighted by seven returners, spearheaded by seniors Isabella Rhoades (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone) and Téah Sponsler (Halifax, PA/Halifax), who have both been staples in the team's lineup throughout their careers. Additionally, Penn State Altoona brings back juniors Julia Daley (Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy) and Emma Fraundorfer (Altoona, PA/Altoona) and sophomores Alexis Buchala (Tamaqua, PA/Tamaqua), Anna Heller (Huntingdon, PA/Huntingdon), and Claire Smith (Hellertown, PA/Saucon Valley).

"We need to solidify our internal leadership and succeed in maintaining a high level of consistent effort and team cohesion," said Hein. "I expect the women's team to have full team effort in order to achieve success this season."

Additionally, Penn State Altoona brings in five freshmen: Sophia Cowher (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone), Paige Goray (Erie, PA/Harbor Creek), Ashley Moretz (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte), Victoria Oldford (Bucks County, PA/Palisades), and Drew Porter (Centreville, VA/Centreville).

"There is a lot of potential with our newcomers," Hein said. "I expect them all to contribute to team success."

Penn State Altoona women's swimming starts its 2025-26 season at home with a dual meet at 1 p.m. against AMCC opponent Penn State Behrend. Across the months of November, December, and January, the Lions will compete in eight more dates before wrapping up in the four-day SUNYAC Championships, which begin February 18.

"This is an exciting year for our women's team," said Hein. "It is a year of transitioning into a new conference, and I expect this season to build a strong foundation for the future."