On Way to NCAA Division III Championships, Kean University Program Has Risen Rapidly
As the 2025-2026 collegiate season opened, Chris Swenson harbored hope. The eighth-year head coach at Kean University, Swenson is a glass-half-full type, always envisioning positive outcomes and confident in his blueprint to obtain desired results. He’s an easy-going guy who is highly respected in local swim circles, and known around the country.
Still, an upbeat personality and optimism are only going to go so far in the quest to build a program that experiences national-level success. Other pieces are obviously necessary. Coaching talent. Quality recruiting. Developing team chemistry and buy-in. Turns out, Swenson has a knack for these critical areas as well.
When the NCAA Division III Championships get underway later this week at the famed Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis, Kean University will be represented by five athletes on the national stage. The Cougars will race four relays in Indy, while Braelyn Wilson and Olivia Chow will each see action in three individual events, with Wilson a title contender in the 100-yard backstroke.
Kean sent one athlete to NCAAs during the 2022-23 season. A year ago, Wilson was the lone Cougar at Nationals, walking away with a sixth-place finish in the 100 back. Now, the program has taken a huge step forward, and a top-15 finish in the team standings is within the program’s grasp.
From 1977-2003, Kean operated a women’s swimming program, with 11 individuals serving as head coach during that span. The team was brought back in 2017-18, an 0-8 record managed. The next year, Swenson took command of the deck and began the gradual build toward attaining national-level success. Over the past four years, the Cougars have compiled a 40-4-1 mark in dual-meet competition, and have emerged as a force in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. This year is undoubtedly the high mark, and the action in Indianapolis will only enhance Kean’s portfolio in the eyes of potential recruits who can help the program maintain its rise.
Courtesy: Kean University
“I think the special thing about Division III is you do it organically,” Swenson said. “You have to get kids to see your vision and commit, and see that they are part of something that is bigger than themselves. And then when they get here, how well do they mesh with their teammates? The team has gotten better and better, and even that first year when there were growing pains, they worked hard. It’s been really cool to see this growth and to get where we are now.”
Patience is a key to building sustainable success and that trait has been a hallmark of Swenson. But when the New Jersey native interviewed for the head-coaching job, his patience was packaged with lofty expectations. He told the athletic director he wanted to pursue out-of-state athletes for the program and he would deliver an NJAC championship by his fifth year. Both goals have been achieved.
At the NCAA Champs, Kean will contest the 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay. Those relays will feature Wilson and Chow, with the trio of Abby Burns, Sydney Stemley and Emma Bellars playing significant roles in their NCAA Champs debuts. Meanwhile, Wilson will complement the 100 backstroke with the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly. As for Chow, a sophomore transfer from powerhouse Denison, she will race the 200 individual medley, 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke.
Bellars is a senior captain for the Cougars and, according to Swenson, is a primary reason why the program has bloomed. Her dedication to practice has established expectations and she has exhibited leadership characteristics for a tight-knit bunch.
“During my interview, I think the AD probably thought I was crazy,” Swenson said. “I said, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll show you.’ It’s about being committed to a vision and getting the kids to see what you want to do. The thing I’m most proud about is everyone at Kean has gone at least one best time during their time here. No one has gone slower. They find an extra gear and go a little faster.”
Last March, Wilson was the sole Kean swimmer who competed at the NCAA Championships. The Cougars were on the selection bubble for a pair of relays, but ultimately missed out on invitations. Certainly, there was motivation to advance relays to Indianapolis this year, and to provide Wilson with company.
The potential exists for Wilson and Chow to return for night swims in each of their three individual events. Swenson is hopeful two of his relays could earn consolation-finals swims, consequently leading to points in the team standings. For Wilson, a sophomore from New Hampshire, a run at the national title in the 100 backstroke is within reach. She is seeded third in the event, just a tenth off the No. 1 seed.
“I think it’s really nice to go out there as a team,” Wilson said. “Everyone going will be a lot more fun and we’ll be able to keep the energy up. It’s cool to do what we have (as a program) in such a short amount of time. Chris always reminds us of where we came from, and here we are. Everything (Swenson) does has a purpose. There is no garbage yardage. Everything is thought out and that makes us willing to do it, even when we might not want to. He’s always there for support.”
In the coming days, Kean will add another chapter to its story. Maybe the Cougars will advance a relay to the evening session of NCAAs, and Wilson and Chow will chase points in their individual events. Whatever shakes out, Swenson and his squad will lay the latest groundwork for the program’s continued growth.
“Going out with a team of five is really cool,” Swenson said. “The five are close friends and that will make this trip special.”
Special also fits how the Kean program has ascended.
NCAA Division III Championships (Psych Sheet)