Rice University’s Ella Dyson (21, Great Britain, World Aquatics bio here) and Ava Portello finished first and second for the second consecutive year at the 2025 College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America National Collegiate 5K Open Water Swimming Championship at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida today.

The conditions were ideal for fast championship racing: warm Florida temperatures, tranquil waters, and a great collegiate atmosphere.

Led by the fastest duo in collegiate open water swimming, the Seth Huston-led Rice University women won their third consecutive CSCAA Open Water Championship. The Owls took home the title in 2022 and 2024, while the 2023 event was canceled due to weather.

Dyson won handily her third individual title, finishing in 56:05.7 with Portello second in 57:46.7. Teammate Ava Hamblett finished 10th with Sami Johnson finishing . “Once again, I was really impressed with how the team raced,” head coach Huston said. “Experience goes a long way in open water racing. Ella and Ava and their teammates push each other every day in practice.”

5 km Women’s Top 20 Results

1. Ella Dyson, Rice University, 56:05.7
2. Ava Portello, Rice University, 57:46.7
3. Marlene Blanke, Villanova University, 58:31.1
4. Katharina Hibbeln, University of Tampa, 58:36.3
5. Casey Stephens, Miami University, 58:37.6
6. Riley Hull, Villanova University, 58:39.2
7. Libby Michel, University of Cincinnati, 58:39.8
8. Olivia Busch, West Virginia University, 59:01.0
9. Taira Vroom, University of Cincinnati, 59:15.1
10. Ava Hamblett, Rice University, 59:18.0
11. Peri Gaguzis, Villanova University, 59:21.5
12.  Katie White, Villanova University, 59:23.4
13. Izzy Mundee, Dartmouth College, 59:30.0
14. Abby Miller, Air Force Academy, 59:32.4
15. Viktoria Freja Sorensen, Florida Atlantic University, 59:35.9
16. Ana Cecilia Oliveira de Carvalho, Florida Atlantic University, 59:36.1
17. Varvara Gkiouzepa-Petropoulo, Tulane University 59:39.5
18. Katie Andrist, Air Force Academy, 59:44.9
19. Lucy Hedley, Grand Valley State University, 59:44.9
20. Lisa Coetzee, Tulane University. 59:46.5
21. Natalie Stuart, Richmond University, 59:49.8
22. Britta Schwengle, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, 1:00.02.0
23. Katie O’Connell, Grand Valley State University, 1:00.07.1
24. Kaitlyn Bauer, Richmond University, 1:00.10.0
25. Sianna Savarda, Florida International University, 1:00:22.0

Full race results of all 119 swimmers are posted here.

Referees and officials included Tom Lombardo, Henry Acevado, Aida Acevado, and Mason Johnson.

© 2025 Daily News of Open Water Swimming

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