The Columbia men’s swimming and diving team has announced the addition of eight new athletes for the 2025-26 season. The group includes six swimmers and two divers, representing four U.S. states and three countries.
Head men’s swimming coach Jim Bolster and head diving coach Scott Donie introduced the class, which they expect will make an immediate impact on the team’s performance.
Kevin Kong joins from Vancouver, British Columbia, specializing in backstroke and sprint freestyle. He brings experience from Canadian national competitions, including a bronze medal at age group nationals and participation in World Championship Trials. Head Coach Jim Bolster said, “The addition of Kevin to our backstroke and sprint free corps will be significant. One of our weaker events in the 24-25 season, Kevin’s strengths in both the 100/200 back will have an immediate impact on both our front line strength and our depth. His freestyle speed will make him a valuable addition to our sprint relays.”
Ethan Zhang arrives from Carmel High School in Indiana as a freestyle specialist with several academic honors and competitive achievements. Bolster commented, “A strong freestyler, Ethan has great range from the 100 through the very best 500 events and will really add a strong bunch to our dual meet and championship meet teams.”
Brian Lee comes to Columbia with butterfly expertise after competing internationally for four years at Shanghai American School Puxi. According to Bolster, “With his butterfly expertise, Brian will make us a very talented and deep team in the fly events. He can swim both the 100/200 events and will be called upon to have his most value in the longer races.”
Nathan Jacobbe is recognized for his versatility across individual medley, butterfly, and freestyle events. He competed at Junior Nationals and was named Swimmer of the Year four times during high school in Texas. Bolster said, “Nathan is a strong middle distance freestyler, butterflyer and 400 IMer. We look forward to the talent and depth he will lend to our middle distance ranks.”
Bingxiang Qin joins from Liaoning, China via The Bolles School in Florida. His strengths include breaststroke and freestyle over various distances. Bolster stated, “Bingxiang is an extremely versatile swimmer who will be a force for us in the 200/500 free events, the 100/200 breast races and the 400 IM. It is hard to know exactly where he will swim every meet, but that is the beauty of his versatility.”
Derek Hitchens arrives from Irvine Northwood High School in California with numerous academic awards as well as state-level athletic accomplishments including being named Orange County Register Swimmer of the Year for 2025. Bolster noted, “We are excited to have Derek with us this coming year. He will be competitive in a wide range of events and will make immediate contributions at the dual meet and championship level meets. He has the potential to be one of the top first year swimmers in the league.”
On diving, Mackenzie Lu from Victoria, British Columbia brings extensive provincial success along with international competition experience for Canada; Derek Hong from Tenafly High School in New Jersey adds multiple state championships along with national qualifying performances.
Head Diving Coach Scott Donie said: “We are really excited to be adding MacKenzie and Derek to the men’s diving roster. This talented duo will really strengthen the men’s diving team led by senior Joe Nicol and sophomore Will Cooley.”
Fans can find more information about Columbia men’s swimming & diving at GoColumbiaLions.com or follow @CULionsMSD and @CULionsDiving on social media.
