Game Faces
In the spirited arenas of the Russell K. Osgood Pool and Darby Gymnasium, Grinnell College athletes lit up the season with remarkable performances. From dominating the swim lanes to shattering records on the court, the Grinnell swimming and diving teams and the Grinnell basketball teams showcased unwavering commitment and excellence throughout the 2023–24 season.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s basketball team produced a great season, culminating with an impressive 19-7 overall record and runner-up finish in the Midwest Conference. Their journey commenced with a commanding 12-3 start, marking the most promising kickoff since the 2011–12 campaign. A significant milestone came on November 25 with a triumphant victory against Lake Forest, marking Coach David Arseneault Jr.’s 100th collegiate coaching victory. His leadership prowess was duly recognized when he clinched the Midwest Conference (MWC) Coach of the Year title at the season’s end.
Despite boasting only one senior, Jordon Ryan ’24, the team thrived with the support of a talented freshman and sophomore cohort. Among the standout additions was Kai Te Huki ’27, whose prowess earned him the MWC Men’s Basketball Performer of the Week accolade twice and the coveted MWC Newcomer of the Year award. His impact was felt across the NCAA — he consistently ranked among the top scorers in all divisions with an impressive season-ending average of 25.8 points per game.
Women’s Basketball
The Grinnell women’s basketball team ignited the 2023–24 season with the strongest start in two decades, opening the season with a 7-3 record. With a 9-7 league record, the squad tied for fourth place but through a tiebreaker missed the Midwest Conference tournament. A talented roster fueled this impressive season, and many team members ranked among the top players in the history of Grinnell women’s basketball.
Erin Lillis ’24, who due to Covid only competed three seasons, finished with 1,172 career points which is the the seventh highest in program history. She also had243 free throws made, which is the eighth best in program history. She led the MWC this season in points per game, with an average of 16.8 points each game, and highest free throw percentage. Sara Booher ’25 amassed 102 career blocks, the fourth best in program history, and Nikki Ware ’25 totaled 93 career three-pointers, ranking eighth in program history. Their February 7 victory against Illinois College marked Coach Dana Harrold’s 100th career coaching victory.
Men’s Swimming and Diving
In the 2023–24 season, under new leadership of head coach Matt Hedman the Grinnell men’s swimming and diving team continued a long-standing pattern of success. For the eighth consecutive time and the 20th time in the past 22 years, the men’s team won the MWC championships. This season, the men’s swimming and diving team also gained national ranking in Division III for the first time in program history. The team’s success was supported by record-breaking performances from swimmers and divers this season.
Ethan Yuen ’24, in particular, proved to be an outstanding athlete, receiving the MWC Performer of the Week award four times as well as the MWC Swimmer of the Year award. Yuen also set school records for the 100-yard breaststroke, 100-yard butterfly, and 200-yard butterfly. Kevin Fitzgerald ’25 and Rommin Adl ’26 were also named MWC Performers of the Week. Fitzgerald broke the Grinnell record for the 400 individual medley, and two relay teams also earned the top rankings in program history.
Women’s Swimming and Diving
The Grinnell College women’s swimming and diving team fulfilled the expectations of excellence this season under the leadership of first-year coach Matt Hedman. At the MWC Championships, the women’s team earned its third win in a row, marking the 23rd time the Grinnell women have won the title in the past 25 years. Sarah Lopez ’26, a star member of the team, earned the title MWC Performer of the Week twice this season and broke the Grinnell record for the 200-yard butterfly.
Swimmers Molly Ryan ’27 and Sophia Carroll ’25 also received the MWC Performer of the Week award, and this year’s team broke the school record for the 200-yard freestyle relay. Ciara Vogler’26 captured six MWC championships while Camryn Gonzales ‘25 claimed four titles. The women’s swimming and diving team dominated the Midwest Conference, with five individual swimmers and four relay teams earning the fastest times in the league.
