Juniata Women Secure 5th Place and COTY

Baltimore, Md. - Juniata capped the 2026 Landmark Conference Championships with a fifth-place team finish (299.5 points) and a major honor for the program, as head coach Kyle Russell and assistant coach Ashley Derrick were named the Landmark Conference Women's Coaching Staff of the Year.

In the women's 1650-yard freestyle, the Eagles placed multiple swimmers, led by Eleanor Smith, who finished sixth overall in 18:37.50. Delany Wetzel followed closely behind in 18:37.57. Maegan Jordan added a 19:33.68, while Ellie Parton (20:28.39) and Kimber Beeler (20:56.20) rounded out Juniata's competitors in the event.

Juniata earned points in the 200-yard backstroke as Coltan Swarts placed fifth in the A final with a time of 2:12.22. In the B final, Abby Ortiz finished 12th overall in 2:22.72, while Snabu Neupane competed in the prelims.

In the 100-yard freestyle, Megan Mikell represented Juniata in the B final (16th, 1:02.51). The Eagles also saw swims from Lakelynn Godfrey (57.15), Danielle Cline (57.51), Norah McClain (58.60), Kasey Williams (59.18), Grace Finch (1:00.91), and MacKenzie Moore (1:03.69), along with an exhibition swim from Snabu Neupane.

Juniata closed out individual events in the 200-yard butterfly with three B-finalists. Kasey Williams placed 10th in 2:30.00, Ellie Parton finished 13th in 2:44.82, and Miriam Struble-Hedstrom placed 14th in 2:56.37.

The meet concluded with the 400-yard freestyle relay, as Lakelynn Godfrey, Eleanor Smith, Danielle Cline, and Coltan Swarts combined for a sixth-place finish in 3:48.75.

The Eagles' fifth-place finish and multiple finals appearances highlighted a strong showing across the four-day championship, capped by the conference recognition of Russell and Derrick as the league's top women's coaching staff.