With a solid core of returning swimmers and a handful of new ones, the Oakville boys swimming and diving team has its eyes on having a successful 2026 campaign.
“We’re going to be returning 12 kids from last year, and we have a few newbies to the team, so we’re going to have a good mix this season,” Tigers head coach Nick Aboussie said. “We’ll probably have about 16 to 17 kids, which includes two juniors that swam at state last year.”
Those two juniors are Schafer Spitznagel and Teagan Zimmermann; the Tigers head coach has high expectations of the duo.
Spitznagel competes in the 100-yard backstroke as well as the 200-yard individual medley, while also swimming the backstroke leg of the Tigers’ 200-yard medley relay.
“Schafer has a tremendous amount of talent, and he works really hard,” Aboussie said. “He’s worked really hard on improving his backstroke in the offseason, and I think he’s going to be very competitive against some of the best this year.”
Zimmermann is a sprint freestyle specialist who’s another important part of the Tigers’ relay success.
“Teagan is a big contributor in the freestyle events,” Aboussie said. “He’s quick, with a lot of natural ability and was very reliable for us last season.”
Senior Colten Kern is not only this year’s captain, but also a freestyle and backstroke specialist who should, too, see time on the Tigers’ 400-yard freestyle relay.
“Colten has been a real vital part of the team the past two years,” Aboussie said. “He’s worked very hard over the course of his career at Oakville and is definitely somebody who will contribute to our success while also setting a good example for our younger swimmers.”
Sophomore Teddy Jones is a mid-distance freestyle and individual medley specialist who will also see action in the 400-yard freestyle relay.
“Teddy made some really big strides while swimming the 500-yard freestyle last year,” Aboussie said. “He’ll also be a major contributor to our 400-yard freestyle relay.”
Aboussie also believes that junior Alex Cuka, along with sophomores Jack Bellovich and Cole Weiss, will also play a major role in the success of this year’s squad.
“Alex has a good mindset and is the type of swimmer who likes to compete,” Aboussie said. “Jack is a back and fly specialist that is really energetic and goes about his business in the right way. Cole has worked really hard in the offseason and swam club this last year, so I’m excited to see how well he’ll swim.”
The Tigers open their 2026 campaign against Christian Brothers College High School (CBC) on Sept. 1 at Mehlville High School.