ELKINS, W. Va. — The Davis & Elkins College swimming teams opened the 2026 calendar with a strong showing Sunday at the IUP New Year's Kickoff Invitational, hosted by Indiana University of Pennsylvania at the Zink Pools.

The Senators recorded five individual event victories on the men's side while turning in numerous podium finishes against the host Crimson Hawks.

Leonardo Vallerini captured the Senators' first win of the meet by taking the men's 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:46.66. Jan Spehar followed with a pair of victories, touching first in the 50-yard backstroke (24.59) and later winning the 100-yard freestyle in 48.06.

Charlie Whitsed added another top finish for D&E by winning the 50-yard breaststroke in 27.27, while Leonardo Oshiro closed out the Senators' individual victories with a first-place performance in the 100-yard breaststroke, posting a time of 1:02.15.

In addition to the wins, the Senators earned points throughout the meet in both individual and relay events. The men's 200-yard medley relay team placed third, while the men's 200-yard freestyle relay finished second. On the women's side, Davis & Elkins collected multiple scoring swims across freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke events, including a third-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Indiana (Pa.) won both the men's and women's team titles, but the Senators finished second in each team race, totaling 90 points on the men's side and 41 points in the women's standings.

Davis & Elkins returns to action at home on Senior Day when the Senators host West Virginia Wesleyan College on Friday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m. at the George A. Myles Pool in an MEC matchup.