University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Big Ten Announces 2025-26 Swimmers and Divers to Watch
9/23/2025 12:00:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
MINNEAPOLIS – The Big Ten Conference announced their 2025-26 Men's and Women's Swimmers and Divers to Watch lists this afternoon, with sophomore Jacob Johnson, senior Drew Bennett, junior Katie McCarthy, and senior Vivi Del Angel representing the maroon and gold.
Johnson tallied a record breaking freshman season for the Gophers, setting the program record for the 200 fly (1:39.96) while also sitting at eighth all time in the 50 free (19.26). Johnson was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week four times throughout the 2024-25 year, capping off his inaugural collegiate campaign with being named to the Big Ten All Freshman team, Second Team All Big Ten, and earning All American honors in the 200 fly.
Bennett closed out his All American Honorable Mention season placing 14th on platform at the 2024-25 NCAA Championships. The veteran diver was named Big Ten Diver of the Week (12/11) once last season while climbing up the program record books, moving up to ninth all time in the 3-meter (415.15) and seventh all time in the 1-meter (399.95).
McCarthy returns as one of the Gophers' Swimmers to Watch after earning the award last season. The Edina, Minn. native continues to put up strong performances for the maroon and gold, placing 25th at the NCAA Championships in the 500 free prelims with a 4:39.71, personal record and the eighth fastest time in program history. McCarthy etched her name in three other events for the program last season, now sitting at seventh all time in the 1000 free (9:40.68), seventh in the 400 IM (4:10.36), and seventh in the 1650 free (16:05.75).
Del Angel returns as one of the Gophers' Divers to Watch after also earning the award last season. The former national champion closed out the 2024-25 season placing third and posting the second highest score in program history (371.50) in platform at the NCAA Championships. Del Angel earned All American honors in platform and the 1-meter and was named Minnesota's Diver of the Year by the team for her efforts.
The University of Minnesota Gophers kick off their 2025-26 season at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center with a dual meet against the University of Nebraska and the University of South Dakota on Friday, Oct. 10.