ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies officially kick off their season on Friday with a Horizon League match-up as Youngstown State hosts Oakland at Beeghly Natatorium.

The two-day duel marks the second consecutive year that Oakland begins its regular season against Youngstown State, with the 2024-25 season occurring at the OU Aquatic Center. The meet is scheduled to start at 3:30 PM E.T. on Friday and continue on Saturday, beginning at 10 AM E.T.

WOMEN'S PREVIEW
The Women's Swimming and Diving program returns two Horizon League Champions:

Grace Albrecht - 100 Backstroke, 200 Backstroke, Newcomer of the Year
Ellie Chalifoux - 1-Meter Dive, 3-Meter Dive

The women also secured first-place in two relays at last year's #HLSD Championship.

Key newcomers for this year's team include Lydia Soldatke, Kendra Venter, Megan Donnelly, and Avery Beal. These incoming freshmen contributed to Oakland being ranked seventh for the Top Freshman Mid-Major Class for the 2025-26 season.

MEN'S PREVIEW
The Men's Swimming and Diving program returns three Horizon League Champions:

Charles Brown - 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle
Christopher Palvadre - 100 Breaststroke, 200 Breaststroke
Harry Nicholson - 100 Backstroke, 200 Backstroke

In last year's #HLSD Championship, the men's team won five out of six relay events, with most of the relay swimmers returning this season.

Key newcomers for this year's team include Ajjuub Ezzat, Kendra Ike Martinez, and Cooper Dillman, helping place Oakland fifth for the Mid-Major Incoming Class for the 2025-26 season.

SCOUTING THE PENGUINS
Youngstown State also begins its season with the Horizon League duel. In last year's meet, the Golden Grizzlies swept the Penguins – the women won 365-197, and the men won 357-201.

The women's swimming and diving team was tied for fourth with IU Indianapolis in the #HLSD Preseason Poll, while Oakland was ranked first, receiving all seven first-place votes. In last year's Horizon League Championship, Youngstown State finished fourth, less than 20 points above IU Indy.

On the men's side, the Penguins earned a fifth-place ranking, matching their placement in last year's Horizon League Championship. However, they were just five points away from surpassing fourth-place Milwaukee at the championship. Oakland received the first-place ranking, receiving five of the seven first-place votes.

ORDER OF EVENTS
Friday (3:30 P.M.)
Diving
200 Medley Relay
1650 Free
200 Free
100 Backstroke
100 Breaststroke
200 Butterfly
50 Free
Diving Break
100 Free
200 Backstroke
200 Breaststroke
500 Free
100 Butterfly
Diving Break
200 IM
400 Free Relay
Saturday (10 A.M.)
Diving
400 Medley Relay
400 IM
200 Free
50 Backstroke
50 Breaststroke
100 Butterfly
50 Free
50 Breaststroke
100 Butterfly
50 Free
Diving Break
100 Free
100 Backstroke
100 Breaststroke
500 Free
50 Butterfly
Diving Break
100 IM
200 Free Relay

How to Follow Oakland Swimming and Diving: For complete information on Oakland Swimming and Diving, follow the team on Instagram and on X at @OAK_swim_dive.