News Summary

The Southern Illinois swim and dive team is set for an exciting 2025-26 season as they welcome 14 new members to their roster. Notable transfers and talented freshmen bring fresh energy to the Salukis, enhancing their competitiveness after a strong performance last season. Athletes from diverse backgrounds, including state champions and international competitors, are ready to make their marks in the pool. With high expectations following a successful prior season, fans eagerly anticipate an incredible year ahead for Southern Illinois swim and dive.

Southern Illinois Swim and Dive Welcomes Exciting New Talent for 2025-26 Season

Carbondale, Illinois – The Southern Illinois swim and dive team is buzzing with enthusiasm as they gear up for the upcoming 2025-26 season. With the start of the season just around the corner, the Salukis are thrilled to announce the addition of 14 new members to their roster, bringing fresh talent and energy to the team.

A New Face in the Pool

Among the newcomers is transfer Nickolas Kosta, who is making waves as he joins the Salukis from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). Nickolas hails from the charming coastal city of Paphos, Cyprus, and he certainly has an impressive swimming background. While at UNCW, he competed in six meets, focusing primarily on the 50- and 100-yard freestyles. He also ventured into the 200-yard freestyle, showcasing his versatility.

This past season, Kosta truly shined at the Gamecock Invitational in November 2024, where he set personal bests in all three events he swam. His standout times include an incredible 20.36 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle, 44.46 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle, and 1:43.52 in the 200-yard freestyle. With such impressive stats, Kosta is sure to be a valuable asset to the Salukis this season.

Fresh Faces, Impressive Achievements

The new freshman class is a mix of talent and accomplishment, with several athletes boasting impressive backgrounds. For starters, Thompson has made a name for himself by competing in both the Winter Junior Nationals and the Open Water Junior Nationals. He is joined by Odom, who clinched the title of national champion in the 100-yard butterfly for 17-18 year-olds in 2023. These young swimmers have their eyes set on making waves this year.

Another standout in the group is Selts, a Florida 4A state champion who also showcased his skills at the Junior Nationals. On the women’s side, Henry shined as a state champion in high school and participated in the Futures competition, a significant milestone in her swimming career. Milford also has a strong resume, having qualified for the Winter Junior Nationals in the challenging 1650 event.

International Talent

The team isn’t just welcoming local athletes; they also have international representation to be proud of. Nagy stands out after finishing second in the Hungarian Junior National Championships in 2024 and making a mark with a fourth-place finish at the 2025 Hungarian National Championships. Not to be outdone, Shaw brings impressive credentials, having competed at the Paris Olympics in 2024, where she swam the 100-yard breaststroke and also participated in both the 50- and 100-yard breaststroke events at the 2024 Short Course World Championships.

Building Momentum

All of this excitement comes off the heels of a successful performance by both the men’s and women’s teams, who recently achieved runner-up finishes at the Missouri Valley Conference Championships in February. With the infusion of fresh talent and the momentum from last season, expectations are high as the Salukis prepare to take the season by storm.

The 2025-26 season looks bright for Southern Illinois swim and dive, and fans are eagerly anticipating the thrills that these talented new additions will bring to the pool. Stay tuned, because the Salukis are ready to dive into another incredible year of competition!

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