DeMatha Wins Prestigious Catholic Swimming Championship

In swimming, we only see what’s going on above water. What’s happening underneath is often more telling.

On Sunday, fans saw DeMatha capture the National Catholic Swimming & Diving Championships for the first time in school history. The undercurrent of loss and sadness might have gone unnoticed.

The victory, one of the finest of coach Tom Krawczewicz’ 32-year career at DeMatha, came just 13 days after his father, Stanley, died at age 96. Tom was one of three siblings who, for the past two-and-a-half years, regularly took care of his father.

“My dad was always really proud of what his kids accomplished,” said Tom, a 1981 DeMatha graduate. “The team took turns writing ‘S. Kraz’ on their backs in permanent marker. So, it was on there both days. I had no idea they were doing that.

“They’ve come together and been really good about it to me, and all said their condolences. They’ve been great.”

After the cheering stopped and the hardware distributed, the pool water at Loyola Maryland University in Baltimore got an unexpected guest when Tom – aka Coach K - dove in.

The Stags, who have established themselves as one of the DMV’s top aquatics programs, outdistanced 34 other boys teams from six states and the District of Columbia to bring home the prestigious Catholic crown.

DeMatha, which has competed in the event 12 times, won it with 299 points. Longtime WCAC rival Gonzaga was second (283). Notre Dame Prep of Towson, Md., won the girls championship.

Of the eight individual events, the Stags won five. Seniors Jayson Ross and Joshua Lopez captured two apiece, while sophomore Alex Jungbluth became the first swimmer in school history to break 49 seconds in the 100-yard fly (48.94).

Ross, who has committed to swim for the University of Georgia, won the 50 (20.64) and 100 free (45.78). Lopez, who is heading to the U.S. Naval Academy, touched the wall first in the 200 (1:39.62) and 500 free (4:31.56).

Ross and Lopez, along with Griffin Oehler (Georgetown Prep), were named co-Swimmers of the Meet. Krawczewicz (Kraz-a-wits) received the boys award for Coach of the Year.

Lopez was named second-team All-Met last season, while Ross and Jungbluth garnered honorable mention. Lopez’ performance in the 500 free, and Ross’ in the 50 free also earned them All-America acclaim. Together, they are part of six individual and relay school records.

“Jayson and Josh are outstanding,” Tom said. “When Jayson is on, he’s very good. He’s the best ever for us in the 50 and 100 free. Navy wants Josh big-time; he’s that good. Him breaking 1:40 in the 200 free is a big, big deal. He’s the first DeMatha swimmer to do that.”

The Stags, unbeaten in 35 straight non-tournament regular-season matches, also won the Robert Sawyer Invitational in Greensboro, N.C., last month. Winning a large tournament doesn’t depend so much on first-place finishes, it relies on guys finishing high throughout the field.

At the National Catholic Championships, DeMatha earned valuable points from several non-first place performers including, among others, Jordan Vaughn, Jonah Ginsburg, Seamus Rooney and Jonathan Lombardo.

“They got locked in and performed well,” Tom said.

The Stags are competing against Rockbridge Academy, St. Mary’s Ryken and St. Anselm’s today. DeMatha is seeking its fifth unbeaten season.

The WCAC Championships are in Prince Frederick, Md., on Saturday Jan. 25. Each school is allowed three entries per event. The Stags have never won the league title – which began in 2018 – but came in second to Gonzaga in 2024.

DeMatha won the Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swim & Dive League Championship in 2005. This could be the year additional hardware comes to Hyattsville.

“It’s going to be a dogfight,” Tom said.