Members of the Jamestown Community College women’s and men’s swimming & diving teams and their coaching staff celebrate after winning a pair of titles at the NJCAA Championships on Saturday in Fort Pierce, Fla. Photo courtesy of JCC Athletics

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The year 2026 will go down in Jamestown Community College athletics’ lore as the women’s swimming and diving team won its fourth straight national championship, while the men’s team claimed its first-ever national title at the NJCAA championships hosted by Indian River State College.

Jamestown CC’s women (Emily Swan, Addison Lawson, Desiree Putt, Sophia Gervasio, Roxanne Lothian, Willow Chase, Katrina DeGroff and Cassie Lyon) won their fifth crown in six years by securing 409 points, a 186.5-point margin over Genesee CC, while the men (Zach Johnson, Christian Merrill, Cameron Milewski, Diego Villarroel, Daniel Peterson and Samuel Hersom) edged Genesee CC by 21 points for that elusive championship plaque.

“I am absolutely thrilled and proud of this group of young athletes, who have put in an incredible amount of work,” said Jayhawks head coach Todd Conklin. “Our swim program is truly thriving and a national powerhouse. It’s fantastic to see us continue to dominate.”

The Jayhawks earned the team accolades by piling up 67 All-American swims from the top to the bottom of the Jayhawks’ roster. The women’s team accounted for 41 All-American times, including 21 First-Team honors. As for the men, 26 All-American statuses were accumulated, including a pair of First-Team from Cameron Milewski in the diving well.

Eleven of those All-American swims were also part of new records for both Jamestown CC and Region 3. Johnson did much of the damage for the men’s team. The South African sophomore broke the 50-yard breaststroke program and regional mark, the 100-yard individual medley program and regional record, and the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard breaststroke program records, plus joined Hersom, Peterson and Milewski as the 400-yard freestyle relay record holders. Johnson’s efforts earned him the highest individual honor, the Swimmer of the Year award.

“It was a successful end to a successful week. It was a great end to my two years at JCC,” said Johnson. As for being part of the first men’s team to hoist the championship trophy, he said, “It’s an incredible feeling. I’m grateful to be a part of and to contribute to.”

Added Conklin: “Breaking 11 new program records and 67 All-American honors is a testament to our success, hard work and dedication. Winning our fourth consecutive women’s national championship and fifth overall is amazing, and adding our first-ever men’s national title is the icing on the cake. I’ve wanted this men’s title for a long time. I couldn’t be prouder of these achievements.”

Jamestown CC’s women also added their names to the Jayhawks’ record boards, with Swan setting the 500-yard freestyle top time, Lyon knocking off the 1,000-yard freestyle record and Lothian setting the 100-yard breaststroke and 400-yard individual medley program records.

“We worked really hard this season, so I’m happy we all got what we came for essentially,” said Lothian. “It was an honor to be part of so many records and so much winning.”

The biggest smile on the night may have come from Conklin, the coach of the 14 swimmers, who guided two national champions and earned Coach of the Year for his efforts.

“Being named national women’s coach of the year by my fellow coaches is a tremendous honor, and I’d like to express my gratitude to Bill Rollinger, Bill Spaulding and Claire Johnson, as well as all the athletes without whom I wouldn’t have received such an honor.”

The Jayhawks have built one of the greatest foundations for a college swim program. With seven freshmen on the roster, there’s a bright future. The women will eye five straight titles in 2026-27, while the men have aspirations to make it back-to-back banners inside the the Physical Education Complex when they return next season.

“There’s never been a more exciting time to be a Jayhawk and be part of a national championship team, with 2026-27 right around the corner,” Conklin said with a smile.

The Jayhawks will look to defend both national titles when the 2026-27 season begins in September.