CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Queens University of Charlotte Royals are poised for another exciting season as the men's and women's swimming teams dive into the 2024-25 campaign. With a storied history of success, most recently including two runner-up finishes in the ASUN Championships, the Royals have established themselves as a powerhouse in the Atlantic Sun. This season promises to be no different, as both squads are equipped with a blend of returning veterans including captains Matej Dusa, Ayden Meierarend, Jacob Browne, Jonathan Henschel, Matt Shanahan, Ryley Heck, Tova Andersson, Sarah Brown, and Annika Huber to lead fresh talent ready to make waves.
"We have a big senior class and look forward to a year long celebration of our seniors," Director of Swimming Jeff Dugdale said. "I am also excited to see how this class will choose to leave their legacy in leadership." Senior Associate Head Coach Jon Lau added, "Every year's team is different when you have graduates move on and newcomers arrive. I am looking forward to seeing new stars and leaders emerge in our program as we go through our dual meets this fall."
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Against North Carolina (Men): 0-3
Against North Carolina (Women): 0-3
Against Davidson (Men): 4-0
Against Davidson (Women): 2-2
Going into this weekend, Associate Head Coach Elliot Ptasnik added, "Everyone is looking forward to racing this weekend at home against two great North Carolina programs. The energy inside the Levine Aquatic Center should be electric. We look forward to seeing where we are at and building upon it week by week, and competition to competition."
ROYAL RUNDOWN
The Royals men's team is coming off a stellar 2023-24 season, where they showcased their depth and versatility across all events. Highlighted by two second-place finishes in the NICs and the ASUN Conference Championships, the men's squad aims to build on last year's success and continue dominating at both the conference and national levels. Key returners include standout sprinter Matej Dusa who was pivotal in last season's relays and took a trip to represent Slovakia at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The men's team also welcomes a highly anticipated freshman class of five swimmers (Brett Bailey, Caleb Bailey, Matheus Teixeira, Jack VanValkenburg, and Lance Young). These newcomers are expected to provide immediate contributions, bolstering the team's chances for success in dual meets and championship races.
The Royals women's swimming team is equally primed for success in 2024-25, with a roster packed with talent and experience. Last season saw the women's team turn in a series of impressive performances to snag second place in the ASUN Championships and a fourth-place finish at NICs — jumping up a solid six places from 2023. this year's squad is determined to raise the bar even higher. Returning swimmers Abigail Zboran and Maddie Foster will spearhead the team's efforts in the Royals relays and freestyle events while Annika Huber is expected to continue her dominance in the pool.
The women also bring in a highly regarded freshman class of five, including Annie Choate, Ellie Porter, Mary Shanahan, Gavriela Daniels, and Katie Grace Vandergrift. All five newcomers bring advanced experience in the high school and club levels, setting the women's side to be major contender in conference competition.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow the Royals swimming programs on Instagram and Twitter/X stay up to date on all the latest news surrounding the team. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics to stay updated on all the Royals sports teams in action by searching @QueensAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
