CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — A new era of Campbellsville University swimming begins Friday as first-year head coach Annissa Crewe-Brown leads the Tigers into the 2026-27 season.

Campbellsville opens at the Fall Frenzy in Columbia, Kentucky, before traveling to Indiana Wesleyan University on Oct. 3. The Tigers' first home meet is scheduled for Oct. 13 against Centre College.

Crewe-Brown takes over a program that produced school records, conference finalists, and national recognition last season. Campbellsville returns several of its leading performers while adding newcomers expected to contribute immediately.

"Of course, we want to break school records, have swimmers competing in conference finals, and send more than one athlete to nationals," Crewe-Brown said. "However, beyond athletic performance, we also want our athletes to lead through their faith in Christ and demonstrate those values in different areas of their lives. Another major goal is for them to become mentally and physically stronger throughout the season."

The women's team is led by senior Marlien Crewe-Brown, who enters her final season after becoming the program's first female NAIA All-American since its reinstatement. She placed sixth nationally in the 100-yard breaststroke last season, recording a personal-best time of 1:04.79 in the preliminaries, and finished ninth in the 200 breaststroke.

Before reaching the national stage, Crewe-Brown won the Mid-South Conference championship in the 200 breaststroke in 2:24.47. She also placed second in the 100 breaststroke and third in the 50 freestyle.

"She is continuing to work hard and find areas where she can improve," Annissa Crewe-Brown said. "Our goal is, of course, to get her on that podium again this season at conference and nationals. Very excited for her last season as a Tiger."

Junior Victória Lanza also returns after setting Campbellsville's 200-yard freestyle record at last season's conference championship. Lanza finished third in 1:58.56, earning an NAIA provisional standard and third-team all-conference recognition.

Lanza has narrowly missed a national invitation in each of the past two seasons, giving her a clear objective entering her junior year.

"Her eyes are also fixated on nationals, and we are excited to see what she can achieve this year," Crewe-Brown said.

Freshman distance swimmer Naira Jaen Serra is among the top additions to the women's roster. A native of Las Palmas Arrecife, Spain, Jaen Serra competes in the distance freestyle events and individual medley.

Crewe-Brown said Jaen Serra has already broken the program's 100-meter freestyle record during the Tigers' intrasquad competition. She is expected to contribute in the 200, 500, and 1,650 freestyle, as well as the 400 individual medley.

"Her top times would have placed her top eight at nationals last season, so she has the potential of joining our growing list of All-Americans this season," Crewe-Brown said.

The women's roster also features seniors Clara Björkegren, Marissa Toms, and Sofia Tricoli. Sophomores Sara Biveghe, Evelina Lemón, Natasha Maracci, Adison Melton, and Reagan Reany return, while freshmen Lys Neema Banza and Maria Marucane join Jaen Serra among the newcomers. Lilliana Sageser rounds out the roster.

On the men's side, Gaamangwe Junior Shima Keitsile begins his first season competing for Campbellsville. The sophomore butterfly swimmer from Gaborone, Botswana, is expected to make an immediate impact in the 100 and 200 butterfly.

"He is a top swimmer from Botswana in the 100 and 200 fly," Crewe-Brown said. "He has been putting in the work at practice, and we have talked about what he is working toward this season, so I am excited to watch him race. His top times position him well to break some records this year, so he is certainly a great addition to the team."

Junior Andreu Jaen Serra returns to anchor Campbellsville's distance group. He placed fourth in the 500 freestyle at last season's conference championship with a season-best time of 4:45.27 and finished fifth in the 1,650 freestyle in 16:51.48. Jaen Serra also helped the Tigers place third in the 800 freestyle relay.

Jaen Serra missed a national invitation in the mile by less than one second last season.

"He knows what it will take to get him to nationals, which is his prime focus this year, so we are excited to work with him toward that goal," Crewe-Brown said.

Jacob Isacson gives the Tigers another returning conference medalist. Isacson placed third in the 200 backstroke at the 2026 conference meet, finishing in 1:57.06. Kyle Kleinhans advanced to the conference final in the 100 butterfly, while Bikash Kumal recorded a personal best in the 100 breaststroke.

The men's roster includes 15 swimmers representing 11 countries. Seniors Adam Peeden and returning juniors Ian Gei, Jaen Serra, Kumal, and William Moore give Campbellsville an experienced foundation. Freshmen Kevin Johnson and Damian Pallaroso join the program alongside Keitsile and a large sophomore class.

Crewe-Brown arrived at Campbellsville after serving as a volunteer assistant at Lindsey Wilson University beginning in 2023. She was named the 2025 Mid-South Conference Women's Swimming Assistant Coach of the Year following a decorated collegiate career in which she earned three NAIA All-American and six CSCAA All-American honors.

Graduate assistant Alejandra Martinez and assistant Ian Lopez join Crewe-Brown on the coaching staff.

"I'm excited to begin this new journey," Lopez said. "I've always had a strong passion for the sport of swimming, and I'm looking forward to using my experience to support Coach Crewe-Brown and the swimmers as they work toward achieving their goals this season."

Following the Fall Frenzy and the meet at Indiana Wesleyan, Campbellsville hosts Centre on Oct. 13 and Asbury University on Oct. 31. The postseason begins Feb. 4 at the Mid-South Conference Championships in Danville, Kentucky, with the NAIA Championships scheduled to begin March 3 in Ypsilanti, Michigan.