FORT PIERCE, FL - It was a banner week for Jamestown Community College's women's and men's swimming and diving teams at Indian River State College for the NJCAA national swimming and diving championships. The women came home with the NJCAA Non-Scholarship National Championship. On the men's side, they brought home third place in the Non-Scholarship Division. JCC also claimed some phenomenal individual accolades, with Sophomore Madison Kramer claiming the Non-Scholarship Female Swimmer of the Championships. Jayhawks' head coach Todd Conklin was named the Women's National Coach of the Year. "

"In regards to the national women's coach of the year, it is a humbling honor, but an honor that is not just mine. I could not have been given this award without my assistance, Emily Spitz, Coach, Bill Rollinger, and Diving/assisting coach Claire Johnson. Their support throughout the year is another reason our team is where it is at and why we have added to the JCC Legacy," exclaimed head coach Todd Conklin.

The Jayhawks achieved these honors by filling their suitcases with innumerable All-American patches and piles of program records.

"We brought home 14 school records and 61 All-American honors. It's hard to fathom what we were able to accomplish at this championship. I am so proud of this group of kids that gave everything each day to be able to achieve all of this," said Conklin.

Kramer was the lead of the squad in and out of the water. The sophomore earned her swimmer of the meet status by bringing home eight All-American accolades and being part of a pair of new program records. The Falconer product finished fourth in the 50 backstroke, setting a new school and Region 3 record in the process. She also finished third in the 100 backstroke, fourth in the 200 backstroke, and sixth in the 100 fly. She was also part of four relay teams that earned All-American honors. 

"For the women, Maddie Kramer did Maddie things all week and deserved to be swimmer of the meet. That said, I know she would echo my thoughts when I say 'It was the team that did it.' The experience of the group was definitely an edge. This is now our third national title in four years. At the end of last year, when we came up just a hair short, I knew the returning swimmers would be focused and hungry to bring the national title back to Jamestown. They stayed hungry and did it," added Conklin.

The rest of the ladies had outstanding meets as well. Lindsey Spitz was named All-American in the 50 breaststroke for her seventh-place finish, tenth in the individual medley, seventh in the 100 breaststroke, and seventh in the 200 breaststroke, where she set a new program record. The Jamestown alum also earned the honor in all four of her relay events. Anna Jones of Southwestern joined the fun with seven All-American swims, including taking on the challenge of the 1,650-yard freestyle. Fellow Southwestern Trojan Ella Fosberg snagged five All-American nods, swimming in the grueling 1,650. New Zealander Hayley Dawson captured the destruction in seven events as well. South African Stacey Blackler earned the privilege of being called All-American in three events. Meanwhile, Cassadaga Valley's Paiden Wittmeyer took home five All-American medals for her work in the 50 freestyle and four relays. JCC didn't stop in the pool; another Southwestern girl, Ashlynn Swan, is a two-time All-American for her services in the diving well, where she took fourth in both the one-meter and three-meter dives. Fellow diver Shaylyn Owens earned an All-American spot with her efforts in the one-meter, where she finished eight.

Shifting to the men, Maxim Johnson swam the leg of his life in the men's 400 freestyle relay to help the Jayhawks take home seventh. It was one of seven All-American places for the South African. He also set a school record in the 200 butterfly, where he placed fourth. He also established a new JCC record in the 50 freestyle before finishing seventh in the 100 fly. Lakewood native Brady Lindstrom is now a five-time All-American with his work in the four relays and 200 individual medley. He also set records in the 100 breaststroke, 100 individual medley, and 50 backstroke. Lukas Baer of Maple Grove and Toby Gifford from Frewburg each heard their name four times for All-American recognition. Both men did it in the four relay events.

"The men were absolutely amazing as well all week. They re-wrote the record book on their side, and at the end of the day, we just didn't have enough guys competing to get to the top spot. I was really happy to see them all swim well and break those records and bring home some All-Americans," mentioned Conklin.

Aside from the home-standing fans of Indian River State College, JCC had the largest spectator section for the four-day event. That support isn't lost on the Jayhawks. "It was awesome to have so many family members, friends, and fans in the stands. What I truly hope is that so many people around our area see the type of student-athletes we are producing and that we have a nationally ranked program with All-Americans and nationally ranked coaches," said Conklin.

The championship still looms large in the Jayhawks' review mirror, but it is never too early to start preparing for back-to-back national titles.

"We are going to enjoy this one for a few weeks, then it will be time to finalize recruiting for the fall of 2025, where the goal will be the same," said Conklin.

If you would like to become a future JCC swimmer, you can reach out to head coach Todd Conklin at his email: ToddConklin@mail.sunyjcc.edu