TIFFIN, Ohio – The Heidelberg University Swim team is ready to make a splash in the 2026-27 season. The team is entering its fourth year of competition, led by Head Coach Ben Rath. 
This season wields the largest roster since the team's 2022 debut– 31 swimmers. 

THE COACHES
The 2026-27 season marks Head Coach Ben Rath's fourth season with the Student Princes.
In the blink of an eye, Rath has seen his first recruiting class prepare for their senior season. He led the women's team to a fourth place OAC finish last winter, and men fifth. With each year, Rath leads his team to a multitude of shattered records and continued success.

Graduate Assistant Grace Bodrock joins the team for her first season alongside Rath. Bodrock, a 2026 Bowling Green State University graduate, swam four years for the Falcons. During her time, she earned top-10 times in the 100 and 200m butterfly. She was also a 7x MAC Championship finalist. 

Wiktoria Bidnik also joins the coaching staff as a graduate assistant. A 2026 graduate of St. Thomas University, Bidnik competed all four years for the Bobcats. She earned NAIA All-American honors twice during her career. 

THE ROSTER
Heidelberg University welcomes 11 new swimmers to the team for the upcoming season, including 8 women and 3 men who will contribute to the program's continued success.

Four seniors: Zach MacDonald, Nora Uhl, Elli Mayer, and Cassy Connare, will be the first class of four-year Heidelberg swimmers. 

MacDonald holds 10 individual records and is a member of each record-holding relay team. 

Mayer holds 12 individual records, and is also a member of each record-holding relay team. 

Connare holds four individual records, and is a member of the 400 medley record-holding relay team. 

Returning juniors include Lance Koch, Evan Eaglin, Riley Mullin, Virginia Dabrunz, Lily Clark, and Delaney Buxton. The Berg also returns 10 sophomores. 

THE SCHEDULE
The Student Princes open up their 2026-27 season on Saturday, Oct. 3rd at John Carroll University, eager to get back in the water for competition. Their home opener will take place on Oct. 26th at the YMCA in Tiffin, against Ohio Wesleyan University. The OAC Championships will be hosted at the University of Akron on Feb. 17-20.

FOLLOW
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Instagram: @bergswimming 
Facebook: Heidelberg University Swimming