WASHINGTON (September 25, 2025) - Howard University men's and women's swimming & diving team "Take their marks," beginning the 2025-26 season at the annual Potomac Relays Invitational, hosted by American University. The relay events are set to begin Friday, Sept. 26, at 1 p.m.
 
SEASON OUTLOOK
 
MEN
 
The men's team closed out its 2024-25 season with a first-place finish, winning the NEC (Northeast Conference) Championship.
 
Recently, the Northeast Conference revealed its preseason polls and the men's squad was unanimously picked to win to repeat. With that, the Bison are in pursuit of securing their third NEC title in four years.
 
The men's squad is led two-time NCAA All-American graduate student Zay Swilley (Bradley, Ill.), senior Taj Benton (Baltimore) and juniors Adam Diaz (Manhattan, N.Y.) and Mason Green (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.).
 
WOMEN
 
The women's team finished its 2024-25 season with a second-place finish at the NEC Championship and projected second in the preseason poll behind three-time NEC Champion Central Connecticut State.
 
Two-time NEC Outstanding Swimmer senior Zuilda Nwaeze (Columbia, Md.) and junior Chanice Posada (Houston) make their return, looking to lead the Bison to their first conference title in program history.
 
MEET PREVIEW
 
The Potomac Relays will mark the beginning of the season for these six featured teams: Howard; American; Georgetown; George Mason; Mary Washington and Mount St. Mary's.
 
The relays will take place in the following order: 200 Medley Relay; 800 Freestyle Relay (4x200); 3x100 Butterfly Relay; 3x100 Backstroke Relay; 3x100 Breaststroke Relay; 500 Freestyle Relay (50-100-150-200); 4x100 IM Relay; 1000 Freestyle Relay (2x500) and 200 Freestyle Relay.
 
Excluding the 4x800 and 2x500 relays, each event will have two heats. The first heat is non-scoring while the second heat is scoring. Individuals may swim up to four relays.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
The next time Howard competes will be Saturday (Oct. 4), hosting host local rival Georgetown for the Battle at The Burr IV. First race is slated for 2 p.m., inside Burr Gym Pool.
 
For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website at www.hubison.com.