UPDATE: The season-opening meet at Wheaton has been postponed for a date TBD.

WALTHAM, Mass. – First-year head coach Kevin Walsh has more than a handful for key returners when the Bentley men's swimming & diving team begins its 2025-26 season at Wheaton Friday, Oct. 17.

Walsh succeeds the legendary Mary Kay Samko, who led the Bentley swimming & diving program for 29 years. She announced her retirement following the 2024-25 season. Samko was inducted into the Bentley Athletics Hall of Fame this past September.

Senior Leighton Wielgoszinski is poised to have an outstanding senior season. One year ago, he won NE10 medals in the 1650-freestyle, 1000-freestyle, and 500-freestyle. He added a fourth medal in the 800-freestyle relay.

"Leighton is ready to make serious moves in the distance events," said Walsh. "He trained like crazy over the summer, and he already beat his previous intra-squad meet time at this year's intra-squad meet."

Junior Matthew Walden won silver in the NE10 200-backstroke last year, and Walsh expects him to add a whole lot more to his mantle this season. "Matt is looking to do some real damage this year. He is eager to visit the podium more times at the NE10 Championships this year," said Walsh.

Bentley also returns NE10 medalists Daniel Lehr and Zachary Ellis. Lehr, a junior, earned an individual NE10 medal in the 100-backstroke last year. He was also on four relay teams that earned medals, including the silver 200-medley relay team. Ellis and Ethan Rehkopf were also on that relay team. Ellis claimed and individual medal in the 100-butterfly.

Among Bentley's five freshmen, Walsh expects Alex Kosel to make an immediate impact – namely in freestyle events.

The Falcons' first home meet of the season is a dual against Assumption, Nov. 2.