Nova Southeastern University’s women’s swim team won its third consecutive NCAA Division II National Championship during the 2024-25 season.
Ben Hewitt, head men’s and women’s swimming coach and College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America DII Women’s Coach of the Year, said that maintaining this level of success through the past three seasons has been dependent on the mindset of living in the present.
“What we’re trying to accomplish is always about going and doing something and being present in the moment, and not so much about resting on the laurels of past successes,” Hewitt said. “Wiping that slate clean, because each year’s a new team, and we want to do something really special with that team, and do it in a different way, so just making sure that we’re ever present in our quest to be the best version of ourselves.”
Hewitt said that the 2024-25 team was self-motivated, but what really helped them was finishing second in the SSC championship meet, which is something the team is not used to, having won the previous three meets.
“It was an eye-opener, but they could also see how things really could come together, and they were just hungry enough because coming up short sometimes is the best thing that can happen to you, because it’s humbling and it’s motivating,” Hewitt said.
The team went into the final day of the national championship meet being down by five points. It came down to the last event, the 400 Freestyle Relay, which consisted of Zsofia Kurdi, Emilia Ronningdal, Maria Goncalves and Maya Esparza. They ultimately finished in first place, setting an NSU and SSC record and securing the national championship.
Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year, Kristina Orban said that her most memorable moment from the meet was when she realized the team won, along with her individual win in 200 freestyle.
“That’s an unforgettable moment, when you know what you’ve been working for and everything you’ve put time into is paying off and you’ve succeeded. It’s just an amazing feeling.” Orban said.
Win or lose, Hewitt was proud of the team and was more than happy to celebrate all they accomplished. He also said that being vulnerable is what brought him closer to the team.
“We don’t always get somewhere by hiding ourselves and not giving of ourselves, and just kind of expecting others to do things for you. I think showing how much they mean to me, even if it’s hard to show that as a male in their 40s,” Hewitt said. “Caring about their successes and realizing that you’re actually giving them a life changing experience, not necessarily just because they won national championships, but you see them grow up before your eyes.”
While winning its fourth consecutive national championship next season is on their minds, Orban said having fun is something that this team valued, and she is planning to bring that into next season.
“No matter how stressed and nervous we are in the situation, we just have to keep in mind that we are there for each other and having fun is a way for us to ease up and make every meet and every moment memorable,” Orban said.
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